Shipping Stress Index — April 2026: 57.0

The Shipping Stress Index averaged 57.0 in April, reaching a peak of 64 on April 5 and dropping to a low of 51 on April 18. Tensions spiked around the Strait of Hormuz early in the month, though the index fell by 9 points on April 7 despite the ongoing crisis. Calming trends were seen when Iran offered to reopen the waterway if the U.S. lifted its blockade, and later when Iran reopened the strait. However, stress was pushed back up mid-month as U.S. warships sailed through to establish a new merchant route and Iran attacked three ships near the waterway. The month ended with looming confusion over the strait, alongside reports that a U.S. Navy blockade would remain after ceasefire talks ended without an agreement.

Scores in this month were computed by the first-generation engine (v1).

Peak 64 on 2026-04-05 · low 51 on 2026-04-18 · locked record · · Shipping Stress Index timeline · May → · World Tension, same month

• Iran offers to reopen Strait of Hormuz if U.S. lifts its blockade and the war ends, officials say PBS · 2026-04-27
• Blockade completely halts Iran shipping, US military says. So why are some ships going through Strait of Hormuz? CNN · 2026-04-15
• Iran offers to reopen Strait of Hormuz if US lifts its blockade and the war ends, officials say apnews.com · 2026-04-27
• Continuing Crisis in Strait of Hormuz: Why Iran’s Hold is Illegal and U.S. Military Force Alone Fails Just Security · 2026-04-08
• Iran war oil market impact: Strait of Hormuz crisis deepens Kpler · 2026-04-07
• Hormuz disruption shows why early-warning data matters UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) · 2026-04-28
• UPDATED: Two U.S. Warships Sail Through Strait of Hormuz to Establish New Route for Merchant Ships USNI News · 2026-04-11
• Coercing Iran: Why Trump’s Hormuz Blockade Has a Short Fuse Council on Foreign Relations · 2026-04-14

• Iran reopens Strait of Hormuz as U.S. blockade remains
• Trump says U.S. Navy will blockade Strait of Hormuz after ceasefire talks end without agreement
• An ‘Open for Open’ Hormuz Deal Could Break the Iran Stalemate
• Hormuz workarounds and arms deals: Gulf states seek to ‘Iran-proof’ their future