KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Amid rising geopolitical tensions and disruption risks along key global shipping lanes, especially the Strait of Hormuz, growing global attention has fallen on the stability and reliability of the Strait of Malacca, which analysts noted remains relatively stable and well-regulated.
Analysts note that while the Strait of Hormuz primarily serves as a critical energy export route, the Strait of Malacca functions as a broader global trade artery, linking major economic regions including East Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa.
The Strait of Malacca handled more than 102,500 vessel transits in 2025, accounting for about 22 percent of global maritime trade, and remains one of the world's largest oil transit chokepoints, carrying about 23.2 million barrels per day, or roughly 29 percent of global seaborne oil flows.
According to Taylor's University senior lecturer Julia Roknifard, disruptions in vital maritime routes such as Hormuz have already demonstrated how quickly global supply chains can be affected, given their role in transporting not only oil and gas but also key industrial inputs such as fertilizers, sulphur and helium.
Roknifard stressed that the impact would be significantly greater if similar disruptions were to occur in the Strait of Malacca. "Malacca handles a larger overall volume of trade and energy flows, making it fundamentally more consequential to global trade dynamics," she said.
From a structural perspective, the Strait of Malacca operates under a fundamentally different governance and risk framework compared to Hormuz, providing a more predictable environment for global trade despite its strategic importance, TA Securities said in a note.
The research house explained that the strait is governed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as an international strait with guaranteed transit passage, ensuring no single country can block, restrict or impose tolls on shipping traffic.
This legal framework provides continuity and predictability for global supply chains, while operational oversight is jointly managed by regional countries through coordinated systems for maritime safety, navigation and security.
"As a result, while chokepoint risks remain -- particularly from congestion, accidents and physical constraints -- these are largely technical and manageable rather than driven by strategic or political coercion," TA Securities said.
In contrast, the Strait of Hormuz is characterized by concentrated control and geopolitical sensitivity, where tensions can translate more directly into global supply shocks, making it a more volatile chokepoint, the research house added.
Despite these differences, both routes remain critical to global energy and trade flows, with risks shaped by distinct underlying factors -- operational in Malacca and geopolitical in Hormuz.
At present, the major risks facing the Strait of Malacca lie in maritime safety order and traffic efficiency challenges stemming from its heavy shipping density, according to analysts.
Against a backdrop of heightened attention to maritime security risks, the Strait of Malacca is increasingly viewed not only as a critical trade route but also as a focal point of long-term geopolitical and economic planning.
Looking ahead, Roknifard expressed hope for deeper regional cooperation, noting that strengthened ties could help mitigate external risks, enhance regional resilience and ensure the continued smooth flow of navigation through the strait.
"It is hoped that regional countries will continue to strengthen coordination and promote pragmatic cooperation so that all parties can benefit from mutually beneficial arrangements," she said. ■
