Gulf Countries Scramble for Alternative Oil Export Routes Amid Strait of Hormuz Disruption

A disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has prompted oil-producing countries in the Gulf to accelerate plans for alternative export routes. Plans to link Kuwait and Bahrain to regional pipelines have gained fresh momentum.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), a total of 14.95 million barrels per day (mbd) of crude oil was exported through the Strait of Hormuz in 2025. Iran is expected to continue relying on Hormuz over the long term, given its effective control of the waterway.

Saudi Arabia's state oil giant Aramco has increased the capacity of its East-West Pipeline to 7 mbd, leaving up to 5 mbd of spare capacity. Riyadh is planning a further expansion of up to 2 mbd by 2030/2031, according to the US-based Institute for Energy Research (IER).

The UAE is fast-tracking construction of a second pipeline that would run parallel to the existing route before extending to the country's northern coast, allowing crude produced north of Hormuz to bypass the strait. The project would double export capacity through Fujairah and is expected to enter service next year.