The ongoing US-Iran tensions over the Strait of Hormuz are accelerating efforts to find alternative routes for oil and gas exports. The waterway handles about 25% of the world’s seaborne oil trade, prompting Gulf states and other regional and international players to expand pipelines and maritime corridors that could reduce dependence on the strait.
Oman has established a temporary, toll-free maritime corridor through its territorial waters in coordination with the International Maritime Organisation. The move is intended to support freedom of navigation through the strait. Oman has also agreed to work with the UK and France to safeguard shipping, while London and Paris have said they are ready to deploy a wider multinational military mission if needed.
Several oil pipelines provide alternatives to Hormuz. The UAE’s 360km Habshan-Fujairah pipeline can transport up to 1.8 million barrels per day from Abu Dhabi to the Gulf of Oman. Abu Dhabi is also accelerating a new West-East pipeline project expected to become operational in 2027 and double Adnoc’s export capacity.
Saudi Arabia’s 1,200km East-West pipeline carries oil from the country’s eastern fields to Yanbu on the Red Sea, completely bypassing Hormuz. It is currently operating at its full capacity of 7 million barrels per day, while Riyadh is considering increasing that capacity to 9 million barrels per day.
Iraq and Syria have agreed to rebuild the 800km Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline, which could initially transport 2 million barrels per day to the Mediterranean. Iraq has also secured a one-year extension with Turkey for the 970km Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline, initially covering 750,000 barrels per day. Turkey has proposed eventually raising its capacity to 2.5 million barrels per day and extending the route to Iraq’s southern oil hub of Basra.
Egypt’s Sumed pipeline, linking the Red Sea with the Mediterranean, has also gained importance. Cairo has offered to move Saudi crude from Yanbu to the Mediterranean through the 320km pipeline. Oil flows through the route have reportedly increased by 150% since the start of the US-Iran war. However, the route involves higher shipping costs and longer transit times.
The crisis has also revived plans for regional gas infrastructure. Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan are examining ways to reactivate the 1,200km Arab Gas Pipeline, while Egypt and Lebanon have agreed to rehabilitate Lebanon’s gas infrastructure.
Iran faces greater limitations. Tehran has the 1,000km Goreh-Jask pipeline linking oil fields to the Gulf of Oman, with a reported capacity of up to 1 million barrels per day. However, exports from Jask have remained sporadic, and the associated terminal and loading facilities are only partially operational. Iran therefore continues to rely heavily on Kharg Island. Chabahar can handle only small additional volumes and cannot replace the country’s main export terminal.
The expansion and revival of these routes could gradually reduce the strategic dependence of regional oil exporters on the Strait of Hormuz. However, several alternatives still face capacity, infrastructure or security constraints, meaning Hormuz is likely to remain a critical route for global energy supplies.
