Maritime Compliance Checklist for Strait of Hormuz Transit

Published: 1 June 2025 · Last updated: 31 October 2026

A Strait of Hormuz transit involves multiple parallel compliance obligations spanning transit clearance, insurance, sanctions, safety, and post-voyage record-keeping. This checklist is designed to help shipowners, ship managers, and voyage operators ensure that no critical step is missed before, during, or after transit.

The checklist is not exhaustive. Flag-state, cargo-specific, and charterer-imposed requirements may add additional obligations. Operators should maintain their own internal compliance procedures alongside this guide.

Vessel documentation

• Certificate of registry in date and on board
• IMO number confirmed and consistent across all vessel documentation
• MMSI number confirmed and AIS transmitter operational
• Certificate of class in date from a recognised classification society
• Gross tonnage (GT) certificate and International Tonnage Certificate on board
• Deadweight tonnage (DWT) confirmed for fee calculation purposes
• Safety certificates (SOLAS: Safety Construction, Safety Equipment, Safety Radio) in date
• MARPOL certificates (IOPP, IEE Certificate) in date

Voyage documentation

• Cargo manifest prepared and signed by master or agent
• Dangerous goods declaration completed if any IMDG cargo on board
• Bill of lading or waybill issued to shipper
• Last port of call confirmed and departure clearance received
• Next port of call confirmed and pre-arrival notification submitted
• Ballast water management record updated if in ballast passage

Transit clearance

• Application submitted at least 24 hours before intended transit date via the HTCA portal
• Correct DWT declared for the applicable fee tier
• Dangerous goods declared at application if applicable
• Expedited Processing elected if certificate needed within 24 hours
• Payment submitted within 48 hours of application
• Transit Clearance Certificate received by email and printed copy on board
• Certificate validity period confirmed (72 hours from stated transit date)
• Application reference number retained for status tracking

Sanctions compliance

• Charterer screened against OFAC SDN List
• Cargo shipper and receiver screened against OFAC SDN List
• All parties screened against EU consolidated sanctions list
• All parties screened against UK OFSI consolidated list
• Vessel IMO number checked against all major sanctions lists
• Cargo origin and destination country confirmed as non-sanctioned
• Screening records retained as evidence of due diligence

Insurance

• Hull and Machinery (H&M) cover confirmed in date
• War risk cover confirmed for the Gulf / Gulf of Oman region
• Required notice given to war risk underwriters before entering notifiable area
• P&I club cover confirmed as not excluded for this voyage
• Additional war risk premium arranged and paid if required by charterer or P&I terms
• P&I war liability cover in place if required

Communications and security

• Vessel registered with UKMTO before entering the Gulf of Oman / Arabian Sea reporting area
• Company Security Officer (CSO) and Ship Security Officer (SSO) briefed on transit
• Bridge team briefed on current maritime security advisory for the region
• BMP6 (Best Management Practices for Maritime Security) procedures reviewed and implemented
• Emergency communication plan confirmed and tested
• Anti-piracy measures in place (razor wire, high-pressure hose stations, citadel, etc.) as applicable
• AIS confirmed as operating throughout transit; no plan to switch off AIS

Post-transit record-keeping

• Transit Clearance Certificate retained on board for the duration of the voyage and filed
• Certificate copy retained in company records for a minimum of 5 years
• Voyage log entries made for transit start, transit completion, and any incidents
• UKMTO departure report submitted after clearing the reporting area
• Any incidents during transit reported to the ship's P&I club and H&M underwriters
• Crew debriefed on any security-related observations