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Strait of Hormuz data guide

What Percentage of the World’s Oil Passes Through the Strait of Hormuz?

EIA data for 2024 and 1Q25 explains why Strait of Hormuz oil flows equal about 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption but more than 25% of seaborne oil trade.

Source and data checked:

Short answer

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that 20.3 million barrels per day of oil moved through the Strait of Hormuz in 2024. That was about 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption and more than 25% of global seaborne oil trade.

These are historical comparison figures for 2024 and 1Q25, not a live transit estimate. Check current traffic separately.

20.3 million b/d
Total oil flow in 2024

EIA analysis using Vortexa data

About 20%
Of global liquids consumption

EIA 2024 comparison

More than 25%
Of global seaborne oil trade

2024 and 1Q25

84%
Crude and condensate sent to Asia

2024 destination share

Why both 20% and more than 25% are correct

The same Hormuz flow is being divided by two different global totals.

About 20 / 100

Global liquids consumption

The flow was equivalent to roughly 20 barrels for every 100 barrels of petroleum liquids consumed worldwide.

25+ / 100

Global seaborne oil trade

It exceeded 25 barrels for every 100 barrels of oil traded by sea, a smaller denominator that excludes most land and domestic movement.

Oil flows in the EIA source data

Values are average million barrels per day. The spreadsheet is more precise than the article’s rounded 20-million-b/d headline.

PeriodTotal oilCrude and condensatePetroleum products
202420.314.35.9
1Q2520.114.25.9

Components are rounded separately to one decimal place, so they may differ from the total by 0.1.

Why the number matters

Few practical alternatives

EIA says most volumes moving through Hormuz have no alternative way to leave the region.

Asia has the greatest exposure

In 2024, 84% of the crude oil and condensate moving through Hormuz went to Asian markets.

Disruption is not the same as closure

Transit, insurance, freight, and spot prices must be checked separately. Conflict headlines alone do not prove that the strait is closed.

Method and limitations

EIA based its analysis on Vortexa tanker-tracking data. Vessel-tracking estimates can change as signals, classifications, and delayed observations are corrected. This table is a dated benchmark, not a live vessel count.

Primary sources

Frequently asked questions

How much oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz each day?

EIA source data show an average of 20.3 million barrels per day in 2024 and 20.1 million barrels per day in 1Q25.

Does 20% of the world’s oil pass through Hormuz?

It was equivalent to about 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption in 2024. The share of global seaborne oil trade was higher, at more than 25%.

Are these live Strait of Hormuz flow numbers?

No. They are EIA benchmarks for 2024 and 1Q25. Use the live news and daily vessel-count pages for current conditions.

Does all oil passing through Hormuz go to Asia?

No. EIA estimates that 84% of crude oil and condensate flows went to Asian markets in 2024.

Fast translations of regional reports are provided for information only. Claims are not independently verified and may be corrected as more information becomes available.

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