Doha [Qatar], June 8: International organizations, specialized studies, and economic reports traditionally classify countries as either coastal states with direct access to maritime trade routes or landlocked nations lacking seaports and maritime outlets.
However, ongoing geopolitical conflicts and regional crises have effectively expanded the category of "landlocked" countries, as even nations with coastlines increasingly find themselves cut off from critical maritime routes due to wars, security threats, and the closure of strategic sea passages.
Worldwide, 44 countries are classified as landlocked, meaning they are entirely surrounded by land and have no direct access to the sea. While the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in force since 1994, provides a legal framework for the management and governance of maritime straits and shipping routes, regional conflicts have increasingly disrupted the operation and accessibility of these critical corridors.
Economic experts argue that crises affecting major maritime chokepoints have far-reaching consequences not only for landlocked nations but also for coastal economies whose supply chains depend on uninterrupted maritime trade.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, for example, have been affected by restrictions on navigation and security concerns surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the need for more flexible policies, stronger diplomatic engagement, and potentially new international mechanisms to manage such challenges.
Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), economist Dr. Abdullah Al Khater explained that landlocked countries are geographically defined as states surrounded by other nations without direct access to the sea.
Their inability to reach maritime routes limits their capacity to receive cargo vessels and benefit from global shipping networks, which remain one of the most critical components of international import and export supply chains.
Dr. Al Khater called for safeguarding global supply chains through the establishment of an international organization, modeled on the United Nations, dedicated to protecting maritime commerce, import and export operations, clean energy supplies, and fertilizer shipments-resources he described as essential to both the global economy and human welfare. Such an organization, he said, would be responsible for managing crises related to maritime chokepoints and strategic waterways.
He further proposed the participation of insurance companies, existing international institutions, and regulatory committees responsible for balancing global supply and demand. Their involvement, he argued, would help stabilize markets, maintain adequate production levels, and encourage investment flows into the region. Clear governance structures would be essential to ensuring effective management of maritime passages regardless of geopolitical tensions.
According to Dr. Al Khater, the Strait of Hormuz crisis should serve as a catalyst for GCC countries to accelerate regional integration projects, including the implementation of a unified visa system, expansion of highway networks, development of a Gulf railway system, and enhanced coordination to strengthen supply chains and maritime shipping services.
He also emphasized that GCC states could further deepen cooperation with neighboring countries through the expansion of oil and gas pipeline networks, alongside investments in road and rail infrastructure aimed at reinforcing regional economic connectivity and resilience.
For his part, Dr. Rajab Al Ismail, Professor at the College of Business and Economics at Qatar University, stressed the importance of flexibility, strategic planning, and diversification in preparing for potential disruptions linked to maritime chokepoints during periods of crisis or conflict.
Speaking to QNA noted that GCC countries cannot be considered landlocked, given their access to maritime routes, established shipping infrastructure, and historically open navigation channels. Nevertheless, he warned that wars and regional crises can create significant logistical and economic challenges. He pointed out that countries adopt different strategies to mitigate such risks. Qatar, for example, previously relied on both maritime shipping and air freight to secure the flow of essential goods during periods of disruption.
At present, he noted, supplies affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz can be partially compensated through Qatar's land connection with Saudi Arabia. He added that coordination and diplomacy remain indispensable tools for addressing supply chain challenges.
Dr. Al Ismail underscored the importance of maintaining alternative solutions while carefully balancing costs and economic returns. Energy storage, he said, represents one of the viable options available, particularly through cooperation between energy-producing and energy-importing countries under frameworks designed to ensure uninterrupted supplies.
He further observed that the aftermath of the Strait of Hormuz crisis is likely to prompt many countries to revise their strategic plans and increase energy reserves. While some nations have historically maintained limited oil and gas inventories, others -such as the United States- have built substantial strategic reserves capable of covering domestic needs for several months.
Looking ahead, Dr. Al Ismail expects some countries to establish larger stockpiles of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and crude oil as a precaution against future disruptions, particularly once the Strait of Hormuz crisis subsides and energy prices begin to stabilize or decline.
Many analyses of the global economy suggest that disruptions affecting maritime chokepoints extend far beyond the geographical boundaries of individual countries or regions.
Their impact reverberates across international trade, global supply chains, inflation trends, and economic growth prospects, often reshaping policy priorities related to trade management and energy security. As the world economy navigates these challenges, governments and international institutions continue to seek more effective frameworks for managing trade flows and securing the stability of global energy systems.
Source: Qatar Tribune
