Doha, June 17 (QNA) - The global energy market may never return to its previous state following the disruption caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, according to the head of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), who says the crisis has fundamentally reshaped priorities in global energy security.

In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), HE GECF Secretary-General Dr Philip Mshelbila said the crisis had exposed vulnerabilities extending far beyond physical energy supplies, affecting shipping routes, financing, insurance costs, commodity markets and investor confidence.

The new reality places reliability of supply, resilience, diversification of energy sources and transport routes, and infrastructure security ahead of price considerations as the primary determinants of energy security, he said.

The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategically important maritime corridors, normally carries around 20% of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies. Dr Mshelbila said disruptions since March had significantly affected Gulf exporters and triggered widespread volatility across international energy markets.

He noted that tensions in the Middle East had pushed LNG prices to their highest levels in years, particularly in Asia, which receives roughly 84% of LNG exports from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Buyers were forced to compete for alternative cargoes on spot markets, while some countries turned to coal and oil to compensate for reduced gas supplies.

Dr Mshelbila warned that recurring geopolitical shocks were becoming a persistent feature of the global energy landscape and could accelerate structural changes in energy demand. These changes may include greater energy efficiency, faster adoption of alternative fuels and increased electrification, especially in price-sensitive importing nations.

Despite these trends, he said natural gas would continue to play a central role in the global energy mix due to its ability to support renewable energy integration, reduce emissions and facilitate a balanced energy transition.

He called for technology-neutral energy policies that recognize natural gas as an essential component of energy security and industrial development, particularly for developing economies seeking reliable and affordable energy supplies.

The GECF chief also stressed that diversification of supply sources and transport routes had become a strategic necessity rather than a policy choice. Expanding interconnections between pipeline networks and investing in storage capacity would help strengthen resilience against future supply disruptions, he said.

Countries with substantial gas storage reserves had demonstrated greater ability to absorb supply shocks and avoid severe price fluctuations, he added.

On policy responses, Dr Mshelbila proposed the creation of a global framework for gas security and emergency response, alongside stronger protection of critical energy infrastructure and improved sharing of market data on supply, demand and investment.

He also urged greater cooperation between producing and consuming nations and called for increased investment across the entire gas value chain, including exploration, production, pipelines, LNG facilities, storage sites and cross-border infrastructure.

Protecting critical energy assets—including pipelines, LNG terminals, electricity systems and maritime shipping routes—would be essential to reducing vulnerabilities and maintaining confidence in global markets, he said.

Dr Mshelbila concluded by warning against the politicization of energy, arguing that international partnerships should be based on open and non-discriminatory cooperation.

Energy should remain a driver of international cooperation, not a source of division, he said, adding that multilateral dialogue would become increasingly important in maintaining market stability, encouraging long-term investment and supporting sustainable economic development worldwide. (QNA)