Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | International Relations
Why in News?
Simultaneous disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, Black Sea, and Bab-el-Mandeb/Red Sea threaten global oil, grain, and fertilizer flows, increasing risks to food and fuel security.
Strait of Hormuz
- Location – Between Iran and Oman.
- Connects – Persian Gulf with Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea.
- Importance – Major global route for oil and gas transportation.
- Disruption impact
- Raises crude oil and fuel prices.
- Increases shipping and insurance costs.
- Can contribute to inflation.
Bab-el-Mandeb & Red Sea
- Location – Connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
- Strategic importance – Important maritime route between Europe/Mediterranean and Asia through the Suez Canal–Red Sea corridor.
- Security concerns – Risks around Yemen and Perim Island.
- If disrupted:
-
- Ships may reroute around the Cape of Good Hope.
- Adds around 25–30 days to voyages.
- Increases fuel, insurance and freight costs.
- Delays delivery of food and other commodities.
Black Sea
- Importance – Major global corridor for wheat and other grains.
- Russia + Ukraine
- Accounted for 27.3% of global wheat exports in 2025–26.
- Russia – 48 million tonnes.
- Ukraine – 14.1 million tonnes.
- Disruption impact
- Reduces grain export flows.
- Puts pressure on global food prices.
- Particularly affects import-dependent countries.
- Creates challenges for humanitarian food programmes.
Alternative Trade Routes
- EU – Solidarity Lanes
- Created to facilitate movement of Ukrainian goods through alternative routes.
- Nearly 230 million tonnes of Ukrainian goods moved since May 2022.
- Included around 94 million tonnes of grain, oilseeds and related products.
- However, they cannot fully match the scale of Black Sea ports.
- Russia – Baltic & Arctic Routes
- Russia is using alternative terminals in the Baltic and Arctic regions.
- Ust Luga – Capacity of around 37 million tonnes.
- Murmansk – Capacity of up to 24 million tonnes.
- Higher transportation costs and limited capacity restrict their ability to completely replace Black Sea routes.
Ust Luga and Murmansk are two of Russia's most critical strategic maritime and energy export hubs located in the Baltic and Arctic regions, respectively.
Diversification of Grain Sources – Importing countries are actively pursuing alternative suppliers.
- Examples
- Argentina – Increased corn exports
- Australia – Alternative wheat supplier
- France – Wheat shipments to Sudan
- Bangladesh – Seeking supplies from Romania and Argentina
- Libya – Using French port of Rouen
- Argentina's corn exports were projected to reach 10 million tonnes in August and September 2026, compared to the typical 3 million tonnes for this period.
Reference
Down to Earth | Maritime Chokepoints
