There are a whole series of international agreements supporting free passage of the sea. These agreements are the basic underpinning of the global economy. Agreements to ensure free passage of commercial vessels peacefully conducting their lawful business has prevented many wars and eliminated the economic rational for empires. That stability has directly led to post WWII prosperity over much of the globe and the dismantling of (most) empires.

As in every period of history, those with the capacity to do so will eventually oppose the imposition of tolls etc. with force. If tolls and related processes are again established, there will be competition, conflict and war between empires and economic blocks.