Which countries would be most affected if the Strait of Hormuz were closed?

Gulf exporters whose shipments must pass through the strait, such as Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar, would be hit hardest. Major Asian importers including China, India, Japan and South Korea would also face severe supply risk.

How much oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz?

Roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption, about 20 million barrels per day in recent years, makes it the world’s most important oil chokepoint.

Are there alternative routes if the strait is blocked?

Partly. Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline to the Red Sea and the UAE’s Habshan–Fujairah pipeline can reroute some oil, but their combined capacity is well below normal strait volumes.

How would a closure affect LNG supply?

Qatar and the UAE ship LNG through the strait, and a closure would disrupt a large share of global LNG trade. This would hit gas importers in Asia and Europe.

Can strategic reserves offset a disruption?

Emergency reserves can bridge a short interruption, but a prolonged closure would drain them. Countries with deeper stockpiles have more time to respond.

Strait of Hormuz Impact Tracker: Countries Most Exposed to an Oil Supply Disruption

This table compares major oil exporters and importers by how exposed they are to a disruption of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf to the open sea. It covers oil volumes, LNG exposure, strategic reserves and available bypass routes for each country. It is built for energy analysts, traders, journalists and anyone tracking global supply risk.

Last updated on Oct 21, 2026, 10:50 AM

Strait of Hormuz Impact Tracker: Countries Most Exposed to an Oil Supply Disruption
🌍 Country	🏭 Role	🛢️ Oil Volume (mb/d)	📈 Hormuz Share %	⛓️ Hormuz Dependency	🚢 LNG Exposure	🏦 Strategic Reserve	🛤️ Bypass Route	🚨 Closure Risk	🤝 Key Buyer	📰 Current News
Saudi Arabia	EXPORTER	5.5	38.00%	38% of total output	Minimal	N/A – net exporter	Yes – East-West Petroline	MEDIUM	China, India, Japan	HSBC chief says Strait of Hormuz could become 'redundant' within five years - TRT World
Iraq	EXPORTER	3.5	22.80%	~95% of all exports	None	N/A – net exporter	No – fully dependent	HIGH	China, India	Iraq offers mediation between Iran, Gulf States - IraqiNews
UAE	EXPORTER	2.5	12.90%	~80% of all exports	Some LNG	N/A – net exporter	Yes – ADCOP pipeline	MEDIUM	Japan, South Korea	Trump backs away from plans to charge fees in the Strait of Hormuz - PBS
Iran	EXPORTER	1.5	10.60%	~100% (under sanctions)	Limited	N/A – net exporter	Partial – Goreh-Jask (inactive)	CRITICAL	China (sanctions buyer)	Iran stalling on deal with US to hurt Trump politically ahead of midterms, Iranian officials say - The Times of Israel
Kuwait	EXPORTER	1.5	10.10%	~100% of all exports	None	N/A – net exporter	No – fully dependent	HIGH	China, India	Macron Begins Gulf Tour in Kuwait, Seeking Energy Security and Reopening of Strait of Hormuz - ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English
Qatar	EXPORTER	0.7	4.00%	~100% – LNG dominant	~20% of world LNG	N/A – net exporter	No – ZERO LNG bypass	CRITICAL	Japan, South Korea, EU	Iran Didn't See This Coming At All : The Strait of Hormuz Could Become 'Redundant' in Just a Few Years - National Security Journal
Bahrain	EXPORTER	0.3	2.00%	~100% of all exports	None	N/A – net exporter	No – fully dependent	HIGH	Japan, India	Iran ‘blew the hell out of Bahrain’ — and Trump’s Gulf strategy with it - Washington Examiner
China	IMPORTER	5.7	37.70%	40–50% of total imports	Yes – ~15% LNG	~500–900 mb (SPR)	Russia pipeline (ESPO)	HIGH	Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran	Trump says he doesn’t believe China and Russia are helping Iran - Anadolu Ajansı
India	IMPORTER	2.2	14.70%	55–65% of total imports	Yes – growing	~10 days	None – maritime only	HIGH	Iraq, Saudi Arabia, UAE	Indian Seafarers: Safety Risks in the Strait of Hormuz - Frontline Magazine
South Korea	IMPORTER	1.8	12.00%	70–80% of total imports	Yes – ~32% LNG	~90 days	None – maritime only	CRITICAL	Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE	Energy crisis: How Japan and South Korea are responding differently to the Strait of Hormuz blockade - Table.Briefings
Japan	IMPORTER	1.6	10.90%	85–90% of total imports	Yes – ~20% LNG	~175 days	None – maritime only	CRITICAL	Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait	No lights and no radio: Getting oil through Hormuz is a risky job - The Japan Times
Singapore	IMPORTER	1.2	4.20%	Major Gulf refining hub	Yes – significant	~100 days	None – maritime only	HIGH	Saudi Arabia, Iraq, UAE	Two Singapore-registered vessels struck in Strait of Hormuz, raising marine insurance risks - Asia Insurance Review
Taiwan	IMPORTER	0.9	3.80%	63% of total imports	Yes – ~33% LNG	~60 days	None – maritime only	CRITICAL	Saudi Arabia, Kuwait	Oil tanker chartered by CPC expected to arrive in Taiwan in July - Taipei Times
Germany	IMPORTER	0.35	1.20%	~15% of total imports	Yes – Qatar LNG	~90 days	Norway / North Sea pipeline	LOW	Saudi Arabia, Iraq	German business confidence rises despite Iran war energy shock - Euronews.com
Netherlands	IMPORTER	0.5	1.80%	~18% of total imports	Yes – growing	~90 days	Diversified EU supply	LOW	Saudi Arabia, UAE	“Too early to panic” about rising gas prices in the Netherlands, says Dutch minister - IamExpat
France	IMPORTER	0.25	0.90%	~15% of total imports	Yes – Qatar LNG	~90 days	Diversified EU supply	LOW	Saudi Arabia, Iraq	Qatar's Emir and Macron hold Doha talks on defence and Strait of Hormuz crisis - TRT World
Italy	IMPORTER	0.3	1.10%	~20% of total imports	Yes – Qatar LNG	~90 days	Diversified EU supply	LOW	Iraq, Saudi Arabia	New Attacks in the Gulf: What the Escalation in the Strait of Hormuz Means for Italy's Gas Prices - italien.news
Pakistan	IMPORTER	0.4	1.50%	~78% of total imports	Yes – critical	< 10 days	None – maritime only	CRITICAL	Saudi Arabia, UAE	Live - US troops ready to act against Iran, Hegseth says after Israel visit - Iran International
United States	IMPORTER	0.5	2.50%	~7% of total imports	Net LNG exporter	~700 mb (SPR)	Domestic shale – self-reliant	LOW	Saudi Arabia, Iraq	Iran stalling on deal with US to hurt Trump politically ahead of midterms, Iranian officials say - The Times of Israel
Thailand	IMPORTER	0.4	1.40%	~50% of total imports	Moderate	~45 days	None – maritime only	HIGH	Saudi Arabia, UAE	US Navy Aircraft Carrier Abraham Lincoln Passes Through Singapore Strait En Route To Thailand After More Than 250 Days At Sea - Marine Insight
Australia	IMPORTER	0.35	1.20%	Indirect – via Singapore	LNG exporter	~29–36 days	None for fuel imports	HIGH	Saudi Arabia, UAE	Australia’s fuel threat spreads beyond Hormuz as Saudi oil route comes under attack - The Times Australia
Vietnam	IMPORTER	0.2	0.70%	~45% of total imports	Growing	~15 days	None – maritime only	HIGH	Saudi Arabia, Iraq	Iran's oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz have stalled. - Vietnam.vn
Philippines	IMPORTER	0.18	0.60%	~40% of total imports	Moderate	~30 days	None – maritime only	MEDIUM	Saudi Arabia, UAE	Strait of Hormuz to reopen Friday under US-Iran deal – Trump - Inquirer.net
Bangladesh	IMPORTER	0.15	0.50%	~70% of total imports	Yes – critical	< 5 days	None – maritime only	CRITICAL	Saudi Arabia, Kuwait	Ship stuck in Hormuz for 112 days arrives in Bangladesh - The Financial Express
Malaysia	IMPORTER	0.22	0.80%	~30% of total imports	LNG exporter	~60 days	Some domestic production	MEDIUM	Saudi Arabia, Iraq	Malaysian vessels can transit Strait of Hormuz free of charge: Iranian envoy - Anadolu Ajansı

Strait of Hormuz Impact Tracker: Countries Most Exposed to an Oil Supply Disruption

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