A chokepoint is a stretch of water narrow enough that closing it forces a detour long enough to change the economics of a trade. That definition excludes a lot of famous straits and includes a few obscure ones. Ranked below by throughput, with the reroute cost that gives each one its leverage. Volumes are approximate and stated on a normal-year basis. Several of these have not had a normal year since 2023, which is noted where it applies.

U.S. aircraft carriers are capable of passing through the Suez Canal, but it is a challenging and infrequent maneuver. The Suez Canal, which connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, is a vital waterway for international maritime trade, but its dimensions and operational conditions impose certain restrictions on large vessels like aircraft carriers. The Suez Canal has a minimum width of 205 meters (673 feet) and a depth of about 24 meters (79 feet) after its most recent expansions.