Chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz illustrate the vulnerability of global energy trade to regional conflicts. Elaborate with reference to recent developments in the Persian Gulf.

Q. Chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz illustrate the vulnerability of global energy trade to regional conflicts. Elaborate with reference to recent developments in the Persian Gulf. (15 marks, 250-350 words)

A chokepoint is a narrow sea lane whose blockage cannot be quickly substituted. The Strait of Hormuz — carrying about 20.9 million barrels/day in the first half of 2025, a quarter of seaborne oil trade and a fifth of global LNG [1] — demonstrates how a localised conflict transmits instantly into a worldwide energy shock.

Why chokepoints create structural vulnerability - Volume concentration: roughly 20 mb/d, equal to about 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption, passes a single passage [1][2]. - Limited substitutability: only Saudi Arabia's East–West pipeline (5 mb/d) and the UAE's Fujairah line (1.5 mb/d) bypass the strait — far below transiting volumes [1]. - Militarised geography: narrow lanes lie within reach of shore-based missiles and mines, giving a littoral state asymmetric leverage over superior navies.

Recent Persian Gulf developments - Conflict from 28 February 2026 cut exports through Hormuz to under 10% of pre-conflict levels [3]. - Transit collapsed from ~20 mb/d to an average 2.7 mb/d during March–May 2026 [4]. - North Sea Dated crude more than doubled to $144/barrel, with sharper jet fuel and diesel spikes [4]. - The IEA authorised its largest-ever collective release — 400 million barrels on 11 March 2026 [3]. - Markets readjusted via Saudi exports through Yanbu (2 to over 5 mb/d), UAE's Habshan–Fujairah route (4.3 mb/d) and record US exports [4].

Implications for India - Asia was hit hardest — China cut crude imports by 40% [4]; India faces import-bill, inflation and currency pressure. - Buffers exist: strategic reserves of 5.33 MMT [5] and about 60 days of crude, 60 of gas and 45 of LPG rolling stock [6]. - Mitigation lies in crude-basket diversification across West Asia, Africa and the Americas, LNG sourcing from the US, Australia and UAE, and SPR Phase II at Chandikhol and Padur [5].

The 2026 episode confirms that chokepoint risk is systemic, not regional. Resilience lies in redundancy — bypass pipelines, deeper reserves, diversified suppliers and coordinated IEA action. For India, accelerating SPR Phase II alongside the renewables push converts a geographic vulnerability into a strategic opportunity, advancing energy security and SDG-7.

(~330 words)

Sources: 1. The Strait of Hormuz is the world's most important oil transit chokepoint — U.S. EIA — transit volumes, share of seaborne oil and LNG, bypass pipeline capacities 2. Strait of Hormuz — IEA — ~20 mb/d transit and ~25% of world seaborne oil trade 3. IEA Member countries to carry out largest ever oil stock release — IEA News (11 March 2026) — conflict onset 28 Feb 2026, export collapse, 400 million barrel release 4. How global oil supplies have readjusted to fill the gap left by the Strait of Hormuz shock — IEA Analysis — 2.7 mb/d transit, $144/bbl price, Saudi/UAE/US supply response, China's 40% import cut 5. Government steps to Strengthen Strategic Petroleum Reserves — PIB — 5.33 MMT SPR capacity, Phase II at Chandikhol and Padur, crude and LNG diversification 6. Key takeaways of 5th IGoM on West Asia — PIB — 60 days crude, 60 days natural gas, 45 days LPG rolling stock