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Hormuz Traffic Collapses 95%, Jones Act Waiver Tightens: What Shippers Must Know

  • Writer: Lanta LLC
    Lanta LLC
  • 9 hours ago
  • 2 min read

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen roughly 95%, to about five vessels daily, while a tighter Jones Act waiver adds voyage-by-voyage scrutiny. Container rates are easing modestly, but rerouting, blank sailings, and port congestion continue to challenge shippers.

What does the Hormuz collapse mean?

The traffic collapse is cutting Gulf crude exports and redirecting flows toward the Red Sea and Southeast Asia. Expect longer transit times, higher fuel and insurance exposure, and tighter equipment positioning across the supply chain.

Editorial illustration of Jones Act waiver compliance, vessel approval, and coastwise shipping requirements

How does the Jones Act waiver change coastal moves?

DHS extended the Jones Act waiver from Aug. 17 through Nov. 15, 2026, but narrowed eligible products from 600+ to 237 HTS codes, including petroleum, natural gas, fertilizers, and energy commodities. Foreign-flag voyages now require a mandatory pre-voyage Vessel Availability Request, approval from the Department of War and MARAD, and a market survey prioritizing coastwise-qualified vessels.

  • Verify the HTS code before booking.

  • Preserve the national-defense justification.

  • File the post-voyage report, which must justify that defense interest.

A previous approval is not blanket authorization.

What are rates and ports signaling?

Drewry’s World Container Index fell 1% to $4,473 per 40-foot container for the week ending Aug. 29, with declines on Transpacific and Asia–Europe lanes. Yet blank sailings persist, and Shanghai–Ningbo delays have reached 11 days after the typhoon backlog.

DOT and FMCSA enforcement remains relevant: CVSA Brake Safety Week runs Aug. 23–29. Confirm carrier maintenance records and inspection readiness.

Aerial editorial illustration of Asian port congestion, waiting vessels, and extended container delays

What should shippers do now?

Lock in routing flexibility and audit carrier contracts against the tighter waiver and rerouted Gulf lanes. Lanta Logistics helps third party logistics providers and supply chain management companies with 3PL fulfillment services, inventory management for ecommerce, a warehouse management system, logistics software, and FlowOps real-time visibility. Its food-grade warehouse, Hazmat certified 3PL operation, Glen Burnie warehouse, and Mid-Atlantic fulfillment network support resilient 3PL Maryland execution.

FlowOps by Lanta real-time inventory and warehouse operations dashboard

Takeaway: Review contracts and routing assumptions now, then contact Lanta Logistics.

 
 
 

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