The head of UAE energy giant ADNOC has issued a pointed public warning over access to the Strait of Hormuz, declaring the waterway is not truly open and calling for its immediate and unrestricted restoration, according to Ship & Bunker.
Sultan Al Jaber, ADNOC’s CEO, made the remarks in a LinkedIn post on Thursday, April 9, framing the situation as a direct threat to global energy stability. “So let’s be clear: the Strait of Hormuz is not open,” Al Jaber wrote, as reported by Ship & Bunker. “Access is being restricted, conditioned and controlled.”
A Waterway Under Pressure
Al Jaber’s statement challenged the notion that partial or conditional transit constitutes open passage. “Conditional passage is not passage. It is control by another name,” he said, arguing that such restrictions actively undermine international law.
The scale of the disruption is significant. Ship & Bunker reports that Al Jaber cited approximately 230 oil-laden vessels currently waiting to sail — a backlog that is contributing to a growing divergence between paper market pricing and real-world physical supply.
Global Energy Flows at Stake
The Strait of Hormuz serves as a critical artery for world energy trade, with more than 20% of globally traded energy passing through the waterway, according to Al Jaber’s statement as reported by Ship & Bunker. The ADNOC CEO warned that the longer the strait remains restricted, the more severe the downstream effects will become.
“Every day the Strait remains restricted, the consequences compound… supply is delayed, markets tighten, prices rise,” he stated.
ADNOC’s Commitment — With Conditions
Despite the pressure, Al Jaber indicated that ADNOC intends to keep its cargo operations moving, though not without reservation. Ship & Bunker reports that he pledged to continue shipments “as long as the safety of our people is ensured,” while simultaneously calling on relevant parties to restore full, unrestricted access to stabilise global energy markets.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
