Iraq and UAE expand oil routes amid Hormuz disruption
Countries accelerate pipeline projects to secure exports as Gulf shipping routes face severe constraints
BAGHDAD, Iraq (MNTV) — Iraq and the United Arab Emirates are advancing alternative oil export routes as disruption in the Strait of Hormuz continues to restrict maritime shipments, prompting urgent efforts to diversify energy infrastructure.
Iraq’s government has approved plans to increase crude exports through the Kurdistan–Turkey pipeline system, a move expected to significantly raise capacity from around 220,000 barrels per day to approximately 770,000 barrels per day.
The expanded route would transport oil through northern Iraq into Turkey’s Mediterranean port of Ceyhan, offering a critical alternative for a country where oil accounts for more than half of gross domestic product.
Economic data indicates that Iraqi exports have sharply declined since the escalation of regional conflict, with most shipments previously dependent on Gulf maritime routes now severely constrained.
Officials in Baghdad said oil exports through Hormuz dropped dramatically in April compared to pre-crisis levels, highlighting the vulnerability of Iraq’s current export structure.
In the United Arab Emirates, authorities are also fast-tracking the West–East pipeline project connecting Abu Dhabi to the port of Fujairah, aimed at bypassing the Strait of Hormuz and increasing export resilience.
The UAE project is expected to significantly expand national export capacity once operational, with officials emphasizing its importance in meeting global energy demand.
Analysts note that Iraq faces greater logistical limitations due to its reliance on a single export corridor, while the UAE retains partial access to alternative terminals despite regional disruptions.
However, existing infrastructure across the Gulf remains exposed to security risks, with reports of attacks and disruptions affecting several key energy routes in recent months.
Before the current crisis, around 20 million barrels of oil and petroleum products transited daily through the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring the scale of global dependence on the chokepoint.
Experts say the development of alternative export networks will require substantial investment, cross-border agreements and time, as countries seek to reduce exposure to maritime instability.
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