Where is Strait of Hormuz?
– The strait, which narrows to 34 miles across at the smallest point, is made up of 2-mile wide channels for tanker traffic and a 2-mile wide buffer zone. Why is it so important? – Nearly 40 per cent of the world’s traded oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, travelling from countries like Iran and Saudi Arabia to the US, Western Europe and Asia. – 90 per cent of oil exported from producers in the Gulf is carried through the passage. – An estimated 13.4 million barrels of crude oil travel on tankers each day through the channel. – The Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicts oil exports through the Strait will double by 2020 to between 30-34 million barrels per day. – Two million additional barrels of oil products, such as liquid natural gas, are transported through the waterway daily. – 31 million tonnes of exports per year from the world’s largest liquid natural gas exporter, Qatar, are transported through the Strait to Asia and Europe. – Other ships carrying perish
