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Chokepoints

By Dr Khalid Siddiqui
Ohio

 

There are 12 chokepoints in the world as far as international shipping is concerned: Strait of Hormuz; Strait of Malacca; Taiwan Strait; Korea Strait; South China Sea; Dardanelles; Danish Strait; Strait of Gibraltar; Panama Canal; Suez Canal; Bab al-Mandeb; and English Channel. Of these, Strait of Hormuz, Dardanelles and Danish Strait are critical as each one of these is the only way in and out of its own body of water. On the other hand, if Bab al-Mandeb is closed the ships stranded in the Red Sea could still leave via the Suez Canal. It would be a long detour, but there definitely is a way out to the sea.

Despite transportation of goods by train, trucks, pipelines, and cargo planes, around 85% of the world exports by volume are transported by ships. Planes still carry around 45% of cargo by value. This is because planes carry most of the expensive and perishable exports: precious metals and gems; vaccines and blood plasma; organs for transplant; semiconductors and microchips; smartphones; perishable items like fresh seafood, fresh flowers and exotic fruits; rare paintings and sculptures; luxury goods like designer clothes, handbags and watches; and specialized chemicals.

Most oil and other cargo move through the Strait of Malacca than any other chokepoint. However, it is not as critically important as the Strait of Hormuz because, though inconvenient, it still could be bypassed.