The narrow waters of the Strait of Hormuz remain the single most important chokepoint in the global energy system. Nearly 20 million barrels of oil per day (mb/d)—close to 34% of global crude trade—passed through the corridor in 2025, according to industry estimates.
For major Gulf producers, the strait is not merely a shipping lane but the backbone of their export economies. Beyond crude oil, the waterway also carries around a quarter of the world’s seaborne liquefied natural gas (LNG). Nearly 20% of global oil consumption moves through this passage each day.
According to data from Visual Capitalist, below are the five largest oil exporters using the strait, based on their share of total crude and condensate shipments.
Saudi Arabia — 37.2%
Saudi Arabia dominates oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, accounting for more than a third of all exports passing through the corridor.
As the world’s largest crude exporter, the kingdom produces several million barrels per day destined for Asian markets including China, Japan, South Korea, and India. While Riyadh has invested heavily in pipelines to bypass Hormuz, a large share of its exports still travels through the Gulf.
Any prolonged disruption would therefore affect both Saudi export revenues and the global oil market. The kingdom also holds most of the world’s spare oil production capacity, meaning instability in the strait could remove a critical buffer against supply shocks.
Iraq — 22.8%
Iraq is the second-largest exporter through Hormuz, responsible for nearly a quarter of shipments.
Most Iraqi crude originates in the southern Basra region and moves through Gulf terminals before passing the strait on its way to international markets. Asia remains the primary destination, particularly China and India.
Because Iraq has limited alternative export routes compared with other Gulf producers, its dependence on Hormuz is particularly pronounced.
United Arab Emirates — 12.9%
The United Arab Emirates accounts for about 13% of the crude and condensate passing through the strait.
The UAE has taken steps to reduce its vulnerability by building the Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline, which carries oil from inland fields to the port of Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman, bypassing Hormuz entirely. Even so, a significant share of UAE exports still moves through the strait. The country remains a major supplier to Asian refiners, particularly in China, Japan, and South Korea.
Iran — 10.6%
Despite geopolitical tensions surrounding the waterway, Iran itself relies heavily on the Strait of Hormuz for exports, shipping more than 10% of the oil that passes through the corridor.
Iranian crude exports have fluctuated in recent years due to sanctions and shifting geopolitical conditions. Nonetheless, the country remains a significant supplier to Asian markets, particularly China.
“The paradox of Iran’s position is notable: the attempt to disrupt the strait would also directly undermine its own oil export capacity.”
Kuwait — 10.1%
Kuwait rounds out the top five exporters using the strait, accounting for just over 10% of total shipments.
The small but oil-rich Gulf state exports the bulk of its crude through maritime routes in the Gulf, leaving it heavily dependent on the stability of Hormuz. Kuwait’s oil is primarily shipped to Asian markets, reinforcing the region’s growing dependence on Gulf energy supplies.
The Bottom Line
These five countries account for more than 90% of crude oil shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring the corridor’s critical importance to the global economy.
