Freight Pulse & Law Update: Hormuz Transits Grind Lower, Congestion Is Now Structural, and the Jones Act Waiver Gets Stricter

August 19, 2026 : 17:00

Global shippers face a three-part constraint: fewer Hormuz transits, persistent port congestion, and tighter Jones Act waiver procedures. Lock capacity early and treat compliance documentation as operational infrastructure.

What is happening in the Strait of Hormuz?

Only six commodity vessels transited Hormuz on August 18, down from nine the prior day and below the recent 10-day average. Three vessels have been hit during the latest security crisis, while oil prices reached a three-week high. Uncertainty surrounding the reopening of the strait after the memorandum of understanding expired continues to push carriers toward Red Sea and Hormuz reroutes.

That combination reduces effective capacity and increases schedule risk for energy, bulk, and containerized cargo. Reuters reported that traffic remains in the low single digits.

Why does port congestion now look structural?

Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc described congestion as a landside bottleneck: not a temporary disruption. Underinvestment in terminals, trucking, rail, and warehouse infrastructure has left inland networks unable to match resilient demand. Shanghai queues are approaching 12 days, adding delivery delays and supporting sticky freight rates.

For third party logistics providers and supply chain management companies, the response is direct:

• Reserve ocean, drayage, and truck capacity earlier.

• Build buffer stock for critical SKUs.

• Monitor port and inland milestones continuously.

What changed under the Jones Act waiver?

DHS extended the emergency waiver through November 15, 2026, but narrowed eligible cargo to 237 HTS codes. Foreign-flag voyages now require a voyage-by-voyage Vessel Availability Request, a MARAD market survey, and a documented national-defense-interest justification. CBP lists required vessel, cargo, timing, and availability information.

What should shippers do now?

Use a warehouse management system, logistics software, and FlowOps real-time visibility to connect inventory management for ecommerce with transportation decisions. Lanta Logistics supports 3PL fulfillment services, Mid-Atlantic fulfillment, a food-grade warehouse, and a Hazmat certified 3PL operation from its Glen Burnie warehouse. Contact Lanta Logistics to strengthen capacity planning and compliance controls.