Americas Oil Supply Routes
Status of the critical maritime chokepoints and infrastructure affecting Western Hemisphere fuel supply. Updated editorially — not a live tracker.
Global Supply Chokepoints — Risk Overview
Live Sea State — Oil Shipping Chokepoints
Significant wave height, wave period, and 10-metre wind speed. Updated 15 May, 08:48 UTC.
Strait of Hormuz
Persian Gulf / Gulf of Oman
0.72m
wave height
5.5s
period
3kt · g5SE
wind
Bab el-Mandeb
Red Sea / Gulf of Aden
0.12m
wave height
3.8s
period
7kt · g9ENE
wind
Panama Canal (Caribbean approach)
Caribbean
0.98m
wave height
6.2s
period
7kt · g15NNW
wind
Strait of Florida
Gulf of Mexico / Atlantic
0.42m
wave height
4.3s
period
10ktW
wind
Source: Open-Meteo Marine + Forecast APIs (sourced from European met agencies). Risk band uses Douglas-style sea-state (wave height) and Beaufort-style wind thresholds; whichever is worse sets the band. open-meteo.com ↗
Current Route Status
Risk levels: Normal · Elevated · High · Critical
US Maritime Security Advisories
MARAD active advisories relevant to Americas supply routes · Updated May 15, 2026
Global
U.S. Maritime Advisory Updates, Resources, and Contacts
Red Sea, Bab el Mandeb Strait, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and Somali Basin
Houthi Attacks on Commercial Vessels
Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman
Iranian Attacks on Commercial Vessels
Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean
Piracy/Armed Robbery/Kidnapping for Ransom
Red Sea, Bab el Mandeb Strait, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, and Somali Basin
Houthi Attacks on Commercial Vessels
Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean
Piracy/Armed Robbery/Kidnapping for Ransom
Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman
Iranian Illegal Boarding / Detention / Seizure
Global
U.S. Maritime Advisory Updates, Resources, and Contacts
Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean
Piracy/Armed Robbery/Kidnapping for Ransom
Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman
Iranian Illegal Boarding / Detention / Seizure
Source: US Maritime Administration (MARAD). Full advisory text on MARAD site.
Thermal Anomalies — Major Refineries & Terminals
NASA FIRMS VIIRS satellite detections within ~15 km of major US Gulf, US East/West Coast, Caribbean and Latin American refineries. Past 24 h. High Fire Radiative Power near a facility may indicate flaring, fire, or process incident — not all detections indicate incidents.
Energy Research — CREA
Russian fossil fuel exports, Hormuz impacts & Americas supply analysis · Updated May 15, 2026
April 2026 — Monthly analysis of Russian fossil fuel exports and sanctions
Quarterly energy snapshot for India: Q4 2025-26
EU countries with cleanest energy mix will save 58% more on bills than counterparts still hooked on fossil fuels
China energy and emissions trends – March 2026 snapshot
Global fossil power generation fell after the Hormuz closure due to solar and wind growth
March 2026 — Monthly analysis of Russian fossil fuel exports and sanctions
China energy and emissions trends: January-February 2026 snapshot
The hedge that paid off: How Pakistan’s solar boom is shielding it from the Hormuz crisis
February 2026 — Monthly analysis of Russian fossil fuel exports and sanctions
Active Disruption Risk
Strait of Hormuz
Persian Gulf / Gulf of Oman · 26.5°N 56.4°E
Critical — reclosed 18 April, US-Iran dispute
Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz again on 18 April 2026, citing US naval blockade on Iranian ports. All major Gulf producers — Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Iraq — export through this single chokepoint. Two simultaneous closures (Hormuz + Bab-el-Mandeb) are unprecedented.
Americas Impact
US East Coast refineries that process Gulf sour crude face spot market tightness. WTI-Brent spread has narrowed as Gulf crude becomes harder to source globally. US SPR drawdown contingency plans activated.
Context
The US maintains the largest strategic petroleum reserve globally at ~370m barrels — approximately 40 days of import cover. Previous Hormuz tensions in 2019 and 2020 resolved within weeks. Iran relies on Hormuz for its own oil exports.
Last reviewed: 2026-04-18
Bab-el-Mandeb Strait
Red Sea / Gulf of Aden · 12.6°N 43.3°E
Critical — Houthi attacks ongoing, commercial avoidance
Houthi forces in Yemen have attacked over 100 commercial vessels since November 2023, effectively closing the Red Sea route to most shipping. Combined with the Hormuz reclosure, both primary Gulf export corridors are simultaneously disrupted — an unprecedented compound event.
Americas Impact
The Cape of Good Hope reroute adds 10-14 days each way and increases shipping costs significantly. For Americas-bound Gulf crude, this compounds with Hormuz closure to force spot market substitution from Atlantic Basin producers (US shale, Brazil, Guyana).
Context
US and allied naval operations (Operation Prosperity Guardian) have not deterred attacks. Most major shipping lines continue to avoid the route. Insurance premiums for Red Sea transits remain at crisis levels.
Last reviewed: 2026-04-18
Elevated — Worth Monitoring
Panama Canal
Central America · 9.1°N 79.4°W
Elevated — drought restrictions eased, monitoring water levels
The Panama Canal handles roughly 5% of global seaborne trade and is the only non-Cape route between the Atlantic and Pacific in the Americas. Severe drought in 2023-2024 forced vessel restrictions to 24/day (down from 36), causing major disruption and wait times of 10+ days.
Americas Impact
Drought-linked restrictions in 2023-24 added $300-500M in annual shipping costs. US LNG exporters diverted cargoes around Cape Horn. Alaska crude exports to Gulf Coast refineries delayed. El Niño patterns drive multi-year drought cycles.
Context
Canal expansion completed 2016 allows Neo-Panamax vessels up to 14,000 TEU. However, Gatun Lake water levels remain the binding constraint. Climate change projections suggest increasing drought frequency. Alternative: Cape Horn route adds ~8,000 nautical miles.
Last reviewed: 2026-04-19
Normal Conditions
Straits of Florida
Caribbean / Southeast US · 24.5°N 80.2°W
Normal — open, routine monitoring
The Straits of Florida (between Cuba and the Florida Keys) carry significant volumes of refined petroleum products northward to US East Coast markets, and crude southward. Major US refineries in the Gulf Coast export through this route.
Americas Impact
No current disruption risk. The strait is under US Coast Guard jurisdiction and routinely monitored. Any disruption would force rerouting around Cuba, adding 2-3 days transit.
Context
US-Cuba relations and Cuban political stability are the primary geopolitical risk factors. Cuba's deteriorating economy and fuel shortages occasionally affect shipping logistics.
Last reviewed: 2026-04-19
Gulf of Mexico
Southern US / Mexico · 25°N 90°W
Normal — hurricane season monitoring begins June
The Gulf of Mexico is both a major producing basin and the hub of US petroleum logistics. Eight of the top US refineries by capacity are on the Gulf Coast. Hurricane season (June-November) is the primary annual risk — major storms like Katrina (2005) and Ida (2021) caused significant and lasting supply disruptions.
Americas Impact
A major hurricane strike on the Houston Ship Channel or Port Arthur refining complex would be a national supply emergency. US EIA monitors GoM production weekly. The 2024 hurricane season was above average but major refineries were spared.
Context
Offshore platforms are increasingly hurricane-hardened, but evacuation protocols still shut production for days to weeks per major storm. Pipeline infrastructure is the most vulnerable single-point-of-failure.
Last reviewed: 2026-04-19
Strait of Magellan
Southern Chile / Argentina · 54°S 70°W
Normal — alternative Cape route open
The Strait of Magellan and Drake Passage (around Cape Horn) provide the only alternatives to the Panama Canal for Pacific-Atlantic transit in the Western Hemisphere. The Magellan Strait is restricted to vessels under 280m length and 11.5m draught.
Americas Impact
During 2023-24 Panama Canal drought restrictions, some vessels rerouted via Cape Horn, adding ~8,000 nautical miles. Not economically viable for routine trade but important as overflow capacity.
Context
Extreme weather in the Drake Passage makes it dangerous for smaller vessels. The Magellan Strait requires pilot compulsion for commercial vessels. Argentina and Chile maintain the route.
Last reviewed: 2026-04-19