Bulgaria called for an immediate halt to the laying of mines in the Strait of Hormuz, warning against further disruption to global shipping and energy flows as tensions escalate in the Middle East, the foreign ministry said on Saturday.
Sofia said it had aligned itself with a joint statement issued on March 19 by the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan and Canada condemning recent attacks on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf and strikes on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities.
“We express deep concern over the escalating conflict and call for an end to the laying of mines and other attempts to obstruct trade through the Strait of Hormuz,” the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry added that maritime security and freedom of navigation were in the interest of all countries, including Bulgaria, and welcomed efforts by allied nations to ensure safe passage through the key shipping route.
It also backed moves by the International Energy Agency to stabilise energy markets through the release of strategic oil reserves and other measures.
Separately, the conflict has sharply increased costs for shipping in the region, with war risk insurance premiums for vessels transiting the strait rising to as much as 7% of a ship’s value, according to industry representatives.
More than 700 vessels are currently stranded on either side of the strait, with around 20,000 crew members on board, the Bulgarian Maritime Chamber said, adding that some of them could include Bulgarian nationals.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil shipments, has effectively been closed, disrupting maritime trade and driving up fuel and transport costs, which are expected to feed through into higher prices for consumers.