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Visit our Events page for details or register here.
AUGUST 13, 2026
Credit: Reuters
Escalating tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz continue to severely restrict commercial shipping through one of the world’s most important trade routes. Vessel traffic through the strait has fallen dramatically, with just eight ships recorded transiting on Tuesday, compared with roughly 130 per day before the conflict began. While U.S. officials have asserted control over the waterway and reports suggest diplomatic efforts toward an agreement are continuing, Iran maintains that the strait remains effectively blocked until its conditions are met. At the same time, heightened security risks are spreading to the Red Sea, where a recent Houthi attack on a commercial vessel killed six people. Together, the disruptions are increasing uncertainty for global logistics networks, particularly for energy shipments, while raising the potential for higher transportation costs and longer transit times.
An alert to CTPAT (Customs & Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) verified customs brokers reminded all of upcoming changes to requirements for foreign importers into the U.S. The alert cited the June 3 Executive Order 14411 and the intent to assure that all importing to the U.S. are following the same rigorous requirements and that foreign importers will be mandated to use a CVCB (CTPAT validated customs broker). Those brokers will be required to verify identity, ownership, business affiliations, U.S. assets, and the ability to pay duties and taxes, as well as verify HTS, valuation, and supply chain data. No go-live date has been announced.
OCEANAIR is a CTPAT certified customs broker.
U.S. truckload spot market rates are dropping moderately in a sign of reasonability. Shippers continue to pay much more for trucking services than they did a year ago, and there’s no evidence that this pricing pathway will change heading into the fourth quarter.
Rising fuel costs and surcharges are filling the gap left by the decline in spot rates. The U.S. average diesel retail price rose by slightly over $0.21 over the past two weeks, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. At $5.348 per gallon, the U.S. average diesel price as of this Monday was up almost 41% from a year ago.
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