Gulf shipping disruptions highlight need for alternative export routes, flexibility: ADNOC top exec in International Shipping News 09/05/2026 The United Arab Emirates’ Habshan-Fujairah pipeline transports oil to a port 70 nautical miles outside the Strait of Hormuz, allowing up to 1.5 million barrels to bypass the chokepoint daily. The Iran conflict’s disruption of Gulf shipping is underscoring a fundamental change in the energy industry: Companies must build in options to withstand geopolitical shocks, according to a top Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) executive. “Optionality is becoming a must in our business. It’s no longer an option,” said Musabbeh Al Kaabi, upstream CEO at the state-run energy giant, on Wednesday (May 6). The last couple of months demonstrated that having optionality, investing in resilience, is the right approach for an integrated energy player.” HORMUZ STANDSTILL HITS ENERGY FLOWS Since attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel first broke out on Feb 28, Tehran has effectively blocked passage through the Strait of Hormuz to most non-Iranian vessels. After more than two months, Iran and the US remain at odds over a variety of difficult issues amid a ceasefire, such as Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and its control of the vital strait. The strategic waterway is a critical artery for global trade, carrying about a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas. The conflict has forced Gulf producers, including ADNOC, to scramble for alternative routes. The United Arab Emirates said on Monday that Iran used drones to attack an empty ADNOC crude oil tanker, the Barakah, as it attempted to transit Hormuz. No injuries were reported. The UAE’s foreign ministry urged Iran to “halt these unprovoked attacks” and ensure the “complete and unconditional reopening” of the strait. Al Kaabi confirmed the Barakah’s crew had returned home safely and stressed the state-owned oil company’s focus on supply continuity. “ADNOC is taking all the measures