From Shock to Strategy: Strengthening ASEAN Energy Security and Economic Resilience after the Strait of Hormuz Disruption

The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz in February 2026 represents a structural rupture in global energy trade flows with far-reaching implications for ASEAN economies. This paper argues that the disruption is not a temporary price shock but a systemic stress test exposing deep vulnerabilities in ASEAN’s energy systems, supply chains, and macroeconomic stability. The analysis demonstrates how energy disruptions propagate across petrochemicals, agriculture, industry, logistics, and financial systems, creating compounded risks of inflation, supply constraints, and growth slowdown. It further highlights the limitations of fragmented national responses and makes the case for strengthened regional co-operation. The paper proposes a set of strategic policy actions centred on energy system transformation, regional co-ordination mechanisms, supply chain resilience, and macroeconomic co-operation. Taken together, these measures aim to enhance ASEAN’s capacity to manage future systemic shocks while sustaining long-term economic resilience and energy security.