The Strait of Malacca should be viewed as the second major chokepoint in Asia’s energy and trade chain rather than an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, said Universiti Utara Malaysia Asian Institute of International Affairs and Diplomacy research fellow Dr Mohammad Khairuddin Othman.
PETALING JAYA: The Strait of Malacca should be viewed as the second major chokepoint in Asia’s energy and trade chain rather than an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, said Universiti Utara Malaysia Asian Institute of International Affairs and Diplomacy research fellow Dr Mohammad Khairuddin Othman.
He said both waterways serve different functions, with Hormuz acting as the main exit point for crude oil and liquefied natural gas exports from Gulf countries, while Malacca links those shipments to East Asian markets.
He said countries such as China, Japan, South Korea and parts of Southeast Asia depend on the continuity of both routes, making disruption in one waterway capable of affecting the wider maritime supply chain.
“In other words, the Strait of Malacca is more accurately seen as the second chokepoint in the energy and trade supply chain to Asia.
“A large portion of oil passing through Hormuz would continue its voyage through Malacca before reaching consumer countries.”
Khairuddin said a disruption in Hormuz would not only affect the Gulf region, but could also raise Malacca’s strategic value as a continuation route for global trade.
He added that shipping operators faced with uncertainty in Hormuz could rearrange schedules and routes, reduce vessel speed, wait for updated security assessments or revise operational plans based on current risk conditions.
“This could cause vessel arrival patterns in the Strait of Malacca to become uncertain, increasing congestion at certain times, especially along major shipping lanes and key ports.
“In a limited navigation space with high traffic density such as the Strait of Malacca, this could increase the risk of shipping delays and maritime traffic management problems, while also raising the likelihood of vessel collisions, navigational accidents and oil spills.”
Khairuddin said Malacca continues to face security challenges, such as illegal ship-to-ship transfers, sea robbery, smuggling and other cross-border maritime activities.
He also pointed out that while sea robbery incidents are more controlled compared with two decades ago due to joint patrols by littoral states, current geopolitical tensions and higher vessel traffic require more careful monitoring.
He added that the safety of Asian energy flows no longer depend on one route alone but rather on the resilience of the entire maritime supply chain.
He emphasised that for Malaysia, the immediate priority is to strengthen Maritime Domain Awareness through real-time monitoring, information-sharing and faster operational response.
“Malaysia needs to continue making use of the latest technologies, such as the Automatic Identification System, coastal surveillance radar, Vessel Traffic Management System, maritime unmanned aerial vehicles, satellite technology and remote sensing.
“Malaysia also needs to continue strengthening good cooperation with littoral states through information-sharing, joint exercises, technology development, operational coordination and capacity-building for maritime assets.”
