Damascus, March 14 (SANA) – The escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran is reshaping global trade routes, with the Red Sea emerging as a key alternative corridor for energy and cargo shipments as navigation through the Strait of Hormuz faces disruption.
Rising military tensions have prompted governments and energy companies to seek safer routes for oil and goods, accelerating efforts to diversify supply chains and reduce dependence on the Gulf chokepoint.
Global trade data shows that roughly 12% of world trade passes through the Red Sea, while around 20% of global oil shipments previously transited the Strait of Hormuz before the conflict restricted navigation.
Gulf States Seek Alternative Export Routes
Several Gulf countries are pursuing new logistics networks to bypass the strait. Saudi Arabia has announced transport corridors linking its Red Sea ports—including Jeddah Islamic Port, Yanbu Commercial Port, and King Abdullah Port—to regional markets through integrated land and maritime routes. Combined, these ports handle more than 18 million containers annually, positioning them as potential hubs for rerouted global trade.
In the United Arab Emirates, state oil company ADNOC highlighted Fujairah Port on the Gulf of Oman as an alternative export route, supported by the Habshan–Fujairah pipeline, which allows crude oil to reach international markets without passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Other nations face longer timelines. QatarEnergy said expanding export infrastructure linked to Ras Laffan could take several years, while Iraq is rehabilitating the Kirkuk–Ceyhan pipeline to increase oil flows to Europe via Türkiye. Kuwait, meanwhile, remains heavily reliant on maritime exports through the Gulf, leaving its shipments closely tied to the security of regional sea lanes.
Egypt Positions Itself as a Key Transit Hub
Egypt is seeking to capitalize on shifting trade patterns. The SUMED pipeline, connecting the Red Sea port of Ain Sokhna with the Mediterranean terminal at Sidi Kerir, can transport up to 2.5 million barrels of oil per day, offering an alternative route to European markets.
The Suez Canal Authority has also expanded the canal’s capacity to handle larger tankers by nearly 28%, reinforcing Egypt’s role as a global transit hub.
Asian Powers Adjust Supply Sources
Major energy importers are diversifying their sources. China has increased oil purchases from Russia and Kazakhstan, while India has expanded strategic reserves and long-term supply agreements outside the Gulf region. At the same time, exporters including the United States, Canada, and Russia have boosted shipments to offset regional disruptions.
Shipping Risks and Longer Routes
Security concerns are reshaping maritime operations. Some vessels in the Gulf have reportedly altered identification data to avoid potential targeting, highlighting growing risks in the conflict zone.
The International Maritime Organization warned that continued threats could force up to 35% of container ships to reroute via the Cape of Good Hope, adding nearly 12 days to voyages and increasing transportation costs.
Analysts say the crisis is accelerating a broader shift in global logistics, with supply chains adjusting to longer, more complex routes as countries seek durable alternatives to traditional trade corridors.
Kh.A
