Strait of Hormuz: Why It Is One of the Most Important Oil Routes in the World
Strait of Hormuz: The World’s Most Critical Oil Route 4 The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most strategically important waterways in the world for global oil transportation. It is a narrow maritime passage that connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman , which then opens into the Arabian Sea . Due to the massive volume of energy shipments passing through it, the strait is widely regarded as the most critical oil transit chokepoint in the global energy system . Location and Geography The strait lies between: Iran on the northern side Oman and the United Arab Emirates on the southern side Key Physical Characteristics Length: ~160 km Narrowest width: ~33 km Actual shipping lanes: about 3 km wide in each direction Because of its narrow structure and extremely high tanker traffic, the Strait of Hormuz is considered a global energy chokepoint . Importance in Global Crude Oil Supply Approximately 20–25% of the world’s total oil supply passes through this single route. Daily...