Strait of Hormuz

Source: TOI

Context: Two oil tankers, Adalynn and Front Eagle, caught fire following a collision near the Strait of Hormuz, triggering concern over energy security and trade stability.

About Strait of Hormuz:

• Location: The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic maritime chokepoint linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea. Despite being just 33 km wide at its narrowest, it remains the world’s busiest energy transit route.

• The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic maritime chokepoint linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea. Despite being just 33 km wide at its narrowest, it remains the world’s busiest energy transit route.

• Bordering Nations: Iran, UAE and Musandam (Oman)

• Connected water bodies: Persian Gulf (west) and Gulf of Oman (east)

• Geographical Features: Geographical Width: Varies from 33 km to 95 km, with 3 km-wide shipping lanes in each direction and buffer zones. Length: Approximately 167 kilometres long. Islands Present: Includes Qishm, Hormuz, and Hengam islands which are of military and navigational significance.

• Geographical Width: Varies from 33 km to 95 km, with 3 km-wide shipping lanes in each direction and buffer zones.

• Length: Approximately 167 kilometres long.

• Islands Present: Includes Qishm, Hormuz, and Hengam islands which are of military and navigational significance.

• Importance of the Strait of Hormuz: Global Energy Lifeline: Handles ~20% of global oil trade, or 20 million barrels/day. Facilitates ~30% of global LNG trade, largely from Qatar. Strategic Chokepoint: Vulnerable to military blockades, cyberattacks, and navigational accidents. Relevance to India: 85% of India’s crude oil and ~50% LNG is imported via this route. Qatar alone supplies 80% of India’s LNG needs. Naval Security Efforts: India conducts Operation Sankalp to escort Indian vessels through Hormuz, ensuring maritime safety amid geopolitical risks.

• Global Energy Lifeline: Handles ~20% of global oil trade, or 20 million barrels/day. Facilitates ~30% of global LNG trade, largely from Qatar.

• Handles ~20% of global oil trade, or 20 million barrels/day.

• Facilitates ~30% of global LNG trade, largely from Qatar.

• Strategic Chokepoint: Vulnerable to military blockades, cyberattacks, and navigational accidents.

• Relevance to India: 85% of India’s crude oil and ~50% LNG is imported via this route. Qatar alone supplies 80% of India’s LNG needs.

• 85% of India’s crude oil and ~50% LNG is imported via this route.

• Qatar alone supplies 80% of India’s LNG needs.

• Naval Security Efforts: India conducts Operation Sankalp to escort Indian vessels through Hormuz, ensuring maritime safety amid geopolitical risks.