By Erastus Nashima
In recent weeks, many of us have become familiar with a narrow stretch of water thousands of miles away in the Middle East known as the Strait of Hormuz.
This awareness has been sharpened by heightened geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran, during which Iran threatened or limited shipping traffic through the strait.
These events raised important questions: what exactly is a strait, who controls it, and why does its closure affect countries as far away as Namibia?
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow sea passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It lies between Iran to the north and Oman to the south, and at its narrowest point measures just 21 nautical miles (nm) (approximately 34 km).
Despite this limited width, the shipping lanes within the strait are even narrower, about 2 nm wide in each direction, making it one of the most congested and strategic maritime passages in the world.
Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), a strait is defined as a natural passage used for international navigation that connects one part of the high seas or an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to another.
Importantly, international straits may fall entirely or partly within the territorial seas of coastal states. In the case of the Strait of Hormuz, this includes the territorial waters of both Iran and Oman.
This legal status is crucial, as whilst coastal states generally exercise sovereignty over their territorial seas, UNCLOS places limits on that sovereignty when it comes to international straits.
Ships of all nations are entitled to what is known as the “right of transit passage,” allowing continuous and expeditious passage through the strait without interference. It is this principle that caused global concern when Iran indicated its ability and willingness to suspend or restrict passage through the Strait of Hormuz during periods of geopolitical tension.
Notably, neither Iran nor the United States is a party to UNCLOS, and Iran maintains that the right of transit passage can be suspended under certain circumstances, an interpretation not universally accepted.
The global reaction to these developments is understandable. Around 20% of the world’s oil consumption (20 – 21 million barrels per day) passes through the Strait of Hormuz. In addition, about one-fifth of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade also transits this narrow channel.
The impact, however, extends well beyond fuel shortages. Namibia, like many countries, felt the effects through rising fuel prices, visible primarily at the pump. Less obvious, but equally concerning, was the disruption to the export of Iranian urea fertilizer, a key input for global agriculture.
The Gulf region provides up to 50% of global urea exports, making the strait crucial for worldwide urea and nitrogen fertilizer supply. Reduced availability of fertilizer affects crop yields and has the potential to push food prices higher worldwide. South Africa and Nigeria import urea through the strait of Hormuz and are among Namibia’s top urea suppliers.
The Gulf region accounts for up to half of global urea exports, making the Strait of Hormuz a critical chokepoint for the worldwide supply of urea and nitrogen based fertilizers. Any reduction in fertilizer availability can negatively affect crop yields and potentially drive up global food prices.
While Namibia does not import fertilizers directly through the strait, its exposure is primarily economic rather than logistical, transmitted through regional supply chains, particularly via South African suppliers making the country indirectly vulnerable to instability in this critical maritime corridor.
Within the maritime and offshore sectors, the closure of the strait resulted in vessel delays, rig standby time and marine insurers withdrew or severely cancelled war-risk coverage, making navigation commercially unviable.
Tankers ceased trading in certain parts of the Gulf, leading to price volatility and long-term energy projects were all adversely affected.
For Namibia, there is a clear lesson to be drawn. External shocks to global supply chains are not abstract events, they have tangible local consequences. One important takeaway is the importance of strengthening national fuel reserve storage capacity as a buffer against international volatility.
There is also valuable experience to be drawn from countries such as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which have invested heavily in cross-country pipeline infrastructure. By transferring oil via pipelines rather than relying solely on road or rail transport, these systems enhance supply security, reduce logistical risks, and improve overall efficiency an approach worthy of consideration in Namibia’s long-term energy and maritime planning.
A narrow strait in the Middle East may seem distant, but its closure reminds us just how interconnected the global economy truly is and why maritime stability matters to Namibia.
*Erastus Nashima a Master Mariner and Senior Marine Surveyor / Marine Consultant with over 23 years of progressive experience across offshore and maritime operations. His career combines senior seagoing command with extensive shore‑based technical, consulting, and advisory expertise.
