What percentage of global trade actually flows through Hormuz, and how does this compare to other chokepoints?

Approximately 21% of global petroleum exports pass through the Strait of Hormuz daily, making it the world's most critical energy chokepoint. This exceeds the Suez Canal (12% of global trade by volume) and Panama Canal (5% of global trade) in terms of energy significance, though not necessarily in total cargo volume. The concentration of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports through Hormuz is even higher—approximately 21% of global LNG supply originates from Persian Gulf facilities dependent on this passage.

What are the hidden costs beyond insurance premiums that companies should account for?

True costs include: premium pricing for alternative routing (Suez, Indian Ocean), expedited logistics to compensate for longer transits, inventory carrying costs for buffer stock maintained against disruption scenarios, supplier diversification premiums (paying more to source from less concentrated regions), dual-sourcing redundancy investments, and strategic warehousing expansion in multiple regions. These structural costs often exceed 3-5% of landed costs for energy-intensive supply chains.

How should supply chain teams model the financial impact of a Hormuz closure?

Teams should conduct multi-scenario modeling: (1) partial closure lasting 2-4 weeks with 50% throughput reduction, (2) extended closure lasting 1-3 months, and (3) complete closure with routing through alternative passages. For each scenario, model impacts on: crude oil price spikes (historical precedent suggests 20-30% increases), LNG price inflation, extended transit times (add 2-3 weeks for Indian Ocean routing), inventory financing costs, and expedited transportation premiums. Scenario tools should stress inventory policies, production schedules, and procurement timing.

What alternative routes exist, and what are their capacity and cost implications?

Primary alternatives include: Suez Canal (adds 5-7 days transit time, increased Suez Canal tolls, congestion risk), Indian Ocean rerouting (adds 10-14 days, lower transit costs but increased fuel consumption), and Saudi Aramco's East-West Pipeline for crude to Red Sea (limited capacity, political complexity). Spare pipeline capacity through Turkey and other Middle Eastern routes offers limited scale. For LNG, no economical alternative exists—most Gulf LNG cannot be economically redirected and would face liquefaction facility shutdowns.

Which industries face the highest exposure, and what proactive steps should they take?

Energy sector (oil, gas refineries), petrochemical-dependent industries (plastics, pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals), automotive (fuel efficiency concerns), and aviation (jet fuel prices) face highest exposure. Proactive steps include: audit Persian Gulf supplier concentration, model procurement under elevated energy cost scenarios, evaluate feasibility of alternative energy sourcing strategies, establish supplier redundancy in non-Gulf regions, and conduct scenario planning with logistics partners on extended transit delays and pricing.

Risk & Disruption

Critical

Hormuz Strait Risks: Hidden Supply Chain Costs Exposed

Jun 30, 2026

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The Strait of Hormuz represents one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, with approximately 21% of global petroleum passing through its narrow 34-mile corridor daily. Beyond the obvious geopolitical tensions, the true cost of Hormuz vulnerability extends far beyond headline risk premiums to encompass hidden operational expenses, route redundancy investments, inventory buffers, and strategic sourcing flexibility that companies must maintain to mitigate disruption exposure. For supply chain professionals, the Hormuz risk calculus has fundamentally shifted.

Companies cannot treat this as a theoretical tail-risk scenario; instead, they must quantify the actual cost burden embedded in their current networks—including insurance premiums, expedited shipping alternatives, inventory carrying costs for buffer stock, and supplier diversification premiums. Organizations relying on energy-intensive supply chains or dependent on petrochemical feedstocks face compounded exposure. The strategic imperative is clear: supply chain teams should conduct scenario-based cost modeling of alternative routes (Suez, Indian Ocean diversions, land corridors through Central Asia), evaluate supplier concentration in Persian Gulf regions, and stress-test inventory policies against extended transit disruptions.

Proactive network redesign now is substantially less expensive than reactive scrambling during an actual closure.

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What if Hormuz experiences a 6-week partial closure reducing throughput 60%?

Model a scenario where the Strait of Hormuz experiences a partial closure for 6 weeks, reducing effective throughput from normal baseline by 60%. This triggers alternative routing through Suez (adding 5-7 days transit time) and Indian Ocean (adding 10-14 days). Crude oil prices spike 25%, LNG prices increase 30%, and ocean freight rates on affected lanes increase 40%. Calculate impact on: procurement costs, inventory financing, production schedule delays, and required safety stock increases.

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What if supply chains must maintain 4 weeks additional buffer inventory against Hormuz disruption?

Model the financial burden of maintaining elevated safety stock to cover extended lead times in case of Hormuz disruption. Calculate carrying cost (inventory financing, warehousing, obsolescence risk) for maintaining 4 additional weeks of buffer inventory across crude oil, LNG, and petrochemical inputs. Compare this to alternative strategies: supplier geographic diversification premiums, dual-sourcing costs, and strategic storage expansion.

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