well, you're right that the oil companies shipping the oil can easily pay the price, but that doesn't mean they won't still pass the cost on, even if they are getting subsidies. and the average ship carries around 2 million barrels. sure, some carry less, and the big ones can carry up to ~ 4 million, but the point is that the costs will be passed on to the customer either way.

not to mention the massive backlog which already exists. even if they opened up the strait right now, to full capacity, it could take months to clear the backlog. and with those waiting to go through in line running out of (or already completely out of) supplies, some starving, this gets even more desperate. and stupid.

and don't even get me started on NATO

Isnt the strait like open seas and not anyone's territorial waters? If so, I dont see taxing vessels legal, no matter how small the fee is.

I've worked for a publicly listed company, and we've been doing savings for mere $10k's. I think while compared to the oil carried the fee would be small, you could employ 20 people for a year for that sum. And that's a one way fee for one vessel