Gulf countries are exploring ways to move oil without relying on the Strait of Hormuz, amid growing concerns over potential disruptions linked to Iran’s influence over the strategic waterway. According to the Financial Times, officials and industry leaders see building alternative pipelines and transport links as the most practical solution to secure uninterrupted exports. The proposed India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), a US-backed plan to connect India with Europe through the Middle East, is part of these discussions.
The Strait of Hormuz has long been the main route for Gulf oil exports, but recent tensions have highlighted how vulnerable it is. Even a brief disruption could impact global energy supply within days. To reduce this risk, Gulf states are looking at options to bypass the narrow passage, effectively avoiding a potential bottleneck before it becomes a crisis.
Saudi Arabia already has an advantage with its East-West pipeline, which carries oil from inland fields to the Red Sea, bypassing Hormuz entirely. “In hindsight, the East-West pipeline looks like a genius masterstroke,” a Gulf energy executive told FT. This infrastructure has helped Saudi Arabia maintain exports even during regional tensions.
More ambitious proposals include connecting the Arabian Peninsula to the Mediterranean, possibly through Israel’s Haifa port, creating a direct export route to Europe. Reports indicate that a broader network of pipelines, railways, and roads is under consideration to provide multiple export options. Christopher Bush, CEO of Lebanese construction firm Cat Group, confirmed that interest in such projects is increasing.
The IMEC project sits at the heart of these plans. First announced at the G20 summit in New Delhi in September 2023, it aims to link India, the Middle East, and Europe through an integrated network of ports, rail lines, and pipelines spanning the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel. Aligning political interests, particularly Saudi Arabia’s stance on including Haifa, remains a key challenge.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has voiced support for alternative routes, arguing that long-term energy security requires reducing dependence on Hormuz. “Long-term solutions include rerouting energy pipelines westward, across Saudi Arabia to the Red Sea and Mediterranean, bypassing Iran’s geographic choke point,” he said, emphasizing that infrastructure solutions are more sustainable than military options.
India is also engaging in these discussions. During his visit to Israel last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for stronger cooperation on IMEC and the I2U2 grouping, which includes India, Israel, the UAE, and the US, focusing on joint projects in energy, infrastructure, and food security.
US President Donald Trump has urged nations dependent on Hormuz to take action to secure the passage, promising US support to ensure the safety of allies in the region. He highlighted key partners including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain, pledging that they would be protected.
This growing focus on alternative routes signals a shift in regional energy strategy, with technology, infrastructure, and geopolitical coordination increasingly central to ensuring uninterrupted oil exports from the Gulf.
