U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright reported that oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz averaged just under 11 million barrels per day during the week ending September 10, 2026. This volume represents approximately 55% of the pre-conflict baseline of 20 million barrels per day.
In addition to maritime traffic, bypass pipelines in Saudi Arabia and the UAE are transporting between 3 and 5 million barrels per day. The combined regional throughput is estimated at 14 to 16 million barrels per day, which exceeds the 6 to 8 million barrels per day previously estimated by independent trackers.
The U.S. Navy is currently providing escort services for commercial vessels navigating the strait. These operations may be facilitating transit for ships that would otherwise avoid the region due to the conflict that escalated on February 28, 2026.
Global oil prices exceeded $100 per barrel in September 2026. The ongoing disruption significantly impacts major importers in Asia, including Japan, South Korea, India, and China, which rely on the Persian Gulf for the majority of their crude oil supplies.
