The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has reopened a broader discussion about the security of alternative maritime routes, particularly the Malacca Strait, which is considered the busiest waterway in the world and a key artery for energy trade between the Middle East and Asia. According to Reuters reports, policymakers in the region are reassessing the risks of relying on narrow transit points that are vulnerable to disruption.
The Malacca Strait extends approximately 900 kilometers between Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, and is the shortest maritime route connecting East Asia with the Middle East and Europe. The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimates that around 22% of global maritime trade passes through Malacca, including oil and gas shipments destined for China, Japan, and South Korea.
Event Details
The U.S. Energy Information Administration indicates that the Malacca Strait is the largest oil transit passage in the world, surpassing the Strait of Hormuz. During the first half of 2025, approximately 23.2 million barrels per day passed through it, accounting for 29% of sea-borne oil flows, compared to 20.9 million barrels per day through the Strait of Hormuz.
Malaysian navigation data showed that over 102,500 vessels transited through the strait in 2025, up from about 94,300 vessels in 2024, indicating a surge in commercial shipping traffic through the passage.
Background & Context
At its narrowest point in the Phillips Channel within the Singapore Strait, the width of the Malacca Strait is only about 2.7 kilometers, which increases the risks of collisions, groundings, or oil spills. The depths of some parts of the strait range between 25 and 27 meters, imposing operational restrictions on some larger vessels.
In recent years, the Malacca Strait has witnessed incidents of piracy and attacks on commercial vessels. The Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia reported at least 104 incidents last year, before a decline in the first quarter of this year.
Impact & Consequences
Data from Fortexa Analytics indicates that approximately 75% of China's sea-borne crude oil imports from the Middle East and Africa transit through the Malacca Strait, making its security a strategic issue for Beijing. The war with Iran has revived old concerns about what might happen if the Malacca Strait were to be disrupted concurrently with tensions in the South China Sea or the Taiwan Strait, where about 21% of global maritime trade passes.
Malaysian authorities note that the Malacca Strait has become a growing hotspot for illegal oil transfers from one ship to another to conceal the source of shipments, complicating the security situation in the region.
Regional Significance
The Arabian Gulf region is closely linked to the Malacca Strait, as many Arab countries rely on exporting oil and gas through this passage. Any disruption in maritime traffic could adversely affect the Arab economy and increase shipping costs.
In conclusion, the Malacca Strait remains a pivotal point in global trade, and concerned nations must enhance security cooperation to ensure safe navigation in this vital area.