Mar 03, 2026
3 min read
A fifth of the world's crude oil goes to this region, almost all of it in Asia.14% of the oil imported by the EU comes from this country.
Regarding the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and how it affects Europe, in maps and data
A fifth of the world's crude oil passes through this point, almost all of which is destined for Asia.This region accounts for 14% of EU oil imports.
The US-Israeli attack on Iran that began over the weekend has put the Strait of Hormuz in the spotlight once again.The tension over this strategic move was felt in the markets two days after the explosion.On Monday afternoon, Tehran announced its closure with a clear warning: "If anyone tries to pass, the Revolutionary Guard will open fire on the boats."Why is this stretch of sea important?We consider its role in the global economy with two maps and recent data.
A maritime traffic map of the area, reproduced with data from Global Maritime Traffic, shows the essential value of this narrow tongue of sea that separates Iran from the Arabian Peninsula.
Hormuz, a funnel through which one-fifth of the world's crude oil passes
Water Traffic Density (h/km²)
This crossing is the exit route for almost all of the Middle East's oil production, and through which more than a fifth of the world's crude oil passes by ship, according to the International Energy Agency.It is also an important transit point for gas ships: just over 20% of those moving around the world pass through it.Iran has repeatedly threatened to close this point.
The strait has been effectively blocked since Saturday as the explosion prevented the passage of supertankers and liquefied natural gas ships, sending Brent crude prices soaring in Europe and around the world: They rose 7% on Monday, the most in nearly nine months. At least 150 oil tankers have gathered on both sides of the Taiwan Strait in the past 72 hours, waiting for the situation to change.
Ships cannot move near the storm this Monday
Facing a complete shutdown, many countries in the region, such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar Exports are impossible for Bahrain and Kuwait. Saudi Arabia, which is the world's largest exporter of crude oil, had to find an alternative and navigate through the East-West Pipeline, which was built in the early 1980s.It has halved its capacity from the usual 10 million barrels to five.
Where does the oil and gas go through Hormuz?
The right is an important channel for the distribution of crude oil.About 14.5 million barrels of oil pass through its waters every day, and most of it is destined for Asia.China is one of the most affected by the closure: in 2025 it will have 25% of the production of the countries in the area.India, Japan and South Korea are also in the team Most of the oil sold comes from this area, according to Bloomberg data.Last year, less than 1% of the crude oil produced by the ship reached Europe.
The shutdown is also a major shock to the gas market, the biggest since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The supply of liquefied gas from Middle Eastern countries, like oil, is predominantly Asian: again China is the main destination.
The shortage of oil and gas in the international market will force the countries that have suffered the most, especially China, to look for these materials in other markets, which indirectly hurts Europe.
What effect does it have in Europe?
The prospect of energy supply cuts is reminiscent of the inflationary crisis in Europe that followed Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which led to price hikes in many countries (such as Spain).This time, however, the Old Continent had to start from a more protected position.
According to Eurostat, most of the oil exported by the EU is not from the Strait of Hormuz, but from neighboring Norway and the United States, which will together account for a third of the EU's foreign imports by the end of 2025.If suppliers not directly affected by the conflict, such as Kazakhstan, Libya and Nigeria, are added, the EU now accounts for 56% of its oil imports.
Relevant suppliers to the European countries most affected by the current crisis are Saudi Arabia and Iraq, which together represent 14.5% of the crude oil imported by the EU.Greece and France are among the most exposed countries due to their high purchases from Iraq, which is the main supplier for the Greeks and the third for the French, according to Bloomberg data.
Spain, on the other hand, will show less vulnerability: it only imports oil from Iraq, which is not among its five main suppliers.
Most of the EU's gas supply comes via pipeline from neighboring countries such as Norway, Algeria and the UK.Europe has also increased purchases from more distant suppliers, following sharp cuts in Russian flows.
In the last quarter of 2025, about 60% of imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) came from the United States, with Algeria and Russia accounting for another 20%. Russian gas will not be completely banned until the end of 2027.
About 6% of the liquefied natural gas reaching Europe comes from Qatar, which is close to the Murcia region and adjacent to the Strait of Hormuz.
Among the recipients of gas from the states around Hormuz is Italy, which is in seventh place in the list of regional importers by volume: Qatar is among its top ten suppliers.
In addition to the closure of the port, its real consequences will be seen in the coming days, the crisis caused by the strike and the closure of the main infrastructure in the countries of the region caused the price of oil of the old region to jump more than 40% and the European markets, including Spain, suffered a decline in the meeting on Monday.
Daniel Grasso shared this information.
