Most of the people do not realize how much the world depends on a few narrow water channels, which are called the “sea straits.” These are not just lines on a map; these are the crucial trade routes through which a huge global economy passes every day. Straits such as the Hormuz, the Bab-el-Mandeb and the Malacca play a significant role in transporting goods and consignments across the globe. Take an example of the Strait of Hormuz, which alone handles nearly 20% of the world’s oil consignments on a daily basis.
Furthermore, the Strait of Malacca, which is situated between the busiest ports of Southeast Asia, also facilitates the conduct of significant global trade by allowing the passage of a large volume of consignments through it. In case of blockage of any of these straits due to any one or the other reason, it may bring extremely diverse effects on the global trade and economy; consequently, the prices of the shipments may go up, deliveries may slow down and supply chains may break down.
Why it matters for India
For India, these straits are directly linked to its fuel supply, trade routes and economic strength. Around 85% of India’s crude oil requirements are met through imports, much of which passes through the Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb. Any distress in and around these regions, whether originating from any conflict, piracy or even from diplomatic issues, may lead to sharp increases in fuel prices and delays in deliveries of the consignments.
This can be understood by throwing light on the recent conflicts between Israel and Iran, which once again shook the Middle East region. Although both the countries tried to avoid tensions between them, the fear of warfare in the Gulf region led to a sharp increase in shipping and insurance costs. For example, the daily cost of hiring crude oil tankers reportedly increased multiple times within days of the conflict. Oil prices also became unstable and crossed $78 per barrel as markets took this conflict in a very adverse manner and reacted accordingly. For India, this was a reminder of how much we are dependent on the secure sea routes. Nearly 40% of oil and over 50% of natural gas import consignments of India pass through the Strait of Hormuz and nearby water territories. Even a few days of distress in that region can raise fuel prices and disrupt the regular trade flow. With the increasing geopolitical tensions, the risk of blockage of trade routes at any instant is also rising in the Red Sea, which consequently may impact India’s supply chains for both energy and exports in an adverse manner. This shows how such distant events can also hit our economy in a few moments.
The Strait of Malacca is equally vital for the nation, as it connects India with East and Southeast Asia, which are the two important trade zones. In this context, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are not only strategic watchpoints but also a key territory of India’s maritime presence. With the expansion of India’s role in the Indo-Pacific oceanic region and strategic ties under its “Act East” policy, it has now become a national priority to keep this route safe and secure.
The hidden role of geology
When we think about securing these sea routes, we usually focus on warships, radar systems and diplomacy. But there lies another big but hidden factor that usually gets less attention and that is the geology under these straits. Many of these straits lie in seismically active zones. For example, the Sunda Strait near Indonesia is surrounded by volcanic islands and earthquake zones. The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait lies along a spreading rift system, and the Lombok Strait is just close to the major fault lines in the region.
Natural calamities like earthquakes, underwater landslides or volcanic activity may damage ports, trigger tsunamis, disrupt undersea communication and have the potential to disturb or collapse energy infrastructure as well. Therefore, it is very much required to understand that the geological factors like faults, rock types and sediment layers that are lying beneath the seabed play a critical role and have to be taken into consideration while planning safe shipping routes and building strong infrastructure.
As such, all the nations across the globe have to invest in seabed mapping, geological modeling and subsurface studies, with the help of which the countries can reduce risk and prepare for natural hazards in a timely manner. In such a way, everything from pipeline projects and undersea cables to disaster-resilient ports and naval bases can be planned and executed most safely.
What India has done and what more can be done
India has already taken significant steps to enhance its maritime and energy security. Its naval presence in the Indian Ocean is being scaled up, and initiatives like the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC–IOR) are helping to improve real-time oceanic field awareness. The nation’s strategic energy reserves, expanded port infrastructure and strong partnerships with countries like Oman and Indonesia reflect a solid and productive way forward.
Furthermore, involving geologists and disaster management experts in designing coastal and offshore infrastructure can help in reducing susceptibility to earthquakes, subsidence and seabed instability. The geological inputs can also assist in the planning and execution of the placement of undersea pipelines, underwater cables and naval assets.
The geological assessments near strategic straits on a regular interval and seabed mapping can add long-term value to India’s maritime strategy in a time of rising global risks.
The sea floor matters as much as the land surface
Sea straits may look narrow and small on the map, but they carry huge weight and attention in global trade and security. For India, these are not only the narrow stretches of seawater utilized for the passage of ships carrying international trade consignments—they are life belts that support the nation’s trade, economy and energy system.
In today’s era, where global trade through sea routes is highly uncertain, keeping in mind the geopolitical tensions amongst the nations and the natural forces, the rocks and sediments lying beneath the seawaters could be just as important as any military asset. Whether we are building a deep-sea port or responding to a geopolitical crisis, we must start thinking not only about what moves on the surface but what lies beneath it.
[Header image: Map showing major global straits and daily oil transit volumes—Strait of Malacca (23.7 mbd), Hormuz (20.9 mbd), Bab-el-Mandeb (8.6 mbd)—highlighting chokepoints critical for India’s energy-security routes. (Credit: EIA | Public Domain)]
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect TGP’s editorial stance.
Nipam Joshi is a geologist and currently serves as Assistant Mineral Economist (Intelligence) at the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), Ministry of Mines, Government of India.
