THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ AS A CONTESTED MARITIME CHOKEPOINT: GEOPOLITICAL RIVALRY, LEGAL AMBIGUITY, AND THE FRAGILITY OF GLOBAL ENERGY SECURITY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35631/IJLGC.1145046Keywords:
Chokepoints, Energy Security, Geopolitical Rivalry, Global Trade, Maritime Law, Middle East Politics, Strait Of HormuzAbstract
The Strait of Hormuz constitutes one of the most strategically significant maritime chokepoints in the global energy system, carrying approximately one-fifth of global petroleum consumption through its waters. While existing scholarship has examined its importance largely through energy security, maritime strategy, or geopolitical perspectives, few studies integrate these dimensions within a single analytical framework. This article addresses that gap by conceptualising the Strait as a strategic vulnerability nexus, where geopolitical rivalry, contested maritime legal interpretations, and systemic energy dependence interact to embed instability structurally within the global system. Using a critical interdisciplinary literature review of 52 studies across maritime security, international law, and global energy governance, the analysis identifies three mutually reinforcing vulnerabilities: geopolitical competition heightens disruption risks, legal ambiguity complicates governance and crisis management, and systemic energy dependence amplifies global economic consequences. Evidence from recurring maritime incidents, contested legal interpretations, and limited redundancy in energy infrastructure demonstrates that instability in the Strait is not episodic but structurally embedded. The study concludes that sustainable stability requires clearer legal mechanisms, inclusive multilateral cooperation, and reduced reliance on chokepoints through diversification and renewable energy transition. By advancing this integrated perspective, the article contributes to a deeper understanding of chokepoint vulnerability in global energy security.
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