US imports from Hormuz-linked ports fell 93.2% in May 2026 after the waterway closure, marking a significant decline in energy and fertiliser shipments.
US seaborne imports from ports linked to the Strait of Hormuz collapsed 93.2 per cent year on year in May 2026 after the waterway was closed on 28 February, falling from 1.5 million tonnes to 100,591 tonnes, reports Saint Petersburg's PortNews.
The decline marked a sharp break from normal volatility in flows from Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. Descartes measured the trade by Country of Departure, meaning cargo was counted if it left those ports even if produced elsewhere.
The May collapse followed smaller falls of 33.0 per cent in March and 34.7 per cent in April. From May 2025 through February 2026, monthly swings ranged between a 27.7 per cent drop and a 26.2 per cent rise.
Energy cargoes bore the brunt. Imports of mineral fuels and oils under HS27 from Hormuz-affected ports fell 92.8 per cent to 80,878 tonnes, while total US HS27 imports dropped 15.2 per cent to 16.4 million tonnes.
Refined petroleum products under HS2710 plunged 98.4 per cent to 10,174 tonnes, while total US imports in the category fell 22.2 per cent to 5.9 million tonnes. Crude petroleum imports under HS2709 from the same ports fell 96.9 per cent to 13,947 tonnes, compared with an 11.7 per cent decline in total US crude imports to 9.8 million tonnes.
Fertiliser imports under HS31 from Hormuz-linked ports dropped to zero from 93,550 tonnes, while total US fertiliser imports fell 44.2 per cent to 552,767 tonnes. Aluminium proved more resilient, with HS76 imports from affected ports down 86.1 per cent to 6,896 tonnes, but overall US aluminium imports rose 20.5 per cent to 455,166 tonnes.
Descartes said the figures should be viewed as a snapshot before any possible recovery, with future monthly data needed to show whether flows rebound after the initial reopening agreement announced in June.
