Shipping Stress Index — May 2026: 59.0

The Shipping Stress Index averaged 59.0 in May 2026. Early in the month, tension pushed up to a peak of 66 on May 4 as a U.S. and Iran truce was tested over the Strait of Hormuz. Conditions calmed slightly the next day when Iran announced that ships could pass through the Strait of Hormuz, even while Trump warned of bombings without a deal. By May 27, the index dropped to its monthly low of 50 despite an official reporting that the US struck Iran again after Trump denied a deal.

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

Peak 66 on 2026-05-04 · low 50 on 2026-05-27 · locked record · ← April · Shipping Stress Index timeline · June → · World Tension, same month

• Iran says ships can pass Strait of Hormuz as Trump warns of bombings without a deal - Oregon Public Broadcasting OPB · 2026-05-06
• Strait of Hormuz conflict threatens global food prices as FAO warns time is running out fao.org · 2026-05-20
• The State of the Strait: The Role of Hormuz in the Middle East War So Far International Crisis Group · 2026-05-29
• U.S. and Iran truce tested over the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to reignite conflict PBS · 2026-05-04
• CENTCOM Protects U.S. Warships Transiting Strait of Hormuz centcom.mil · 2026-05-07
• U.S. sinks 7 small Iranian boats as Iran launches attacks on UAE and ships in Strait of Hormuz cbsnews.com · 2026-05-05
• US strikes Iran again, official says, after Trump denies deal on Strait of Hormuz reuters.com · 2026-05-27
• The Closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran: Considerations over the Law of the Sea and Law of Naval Warfare Opinio Juris · 2026-05-06

• Iran says ships can pass Strait of Hormuz as Trump warns of bombings without a deal - Oregon Public Broadcasting
• U.S. and Iran truce tested over the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to reignite conflict
• US strikes Iran again, official says, after Trump denies deal on Strait of Hormuz
• U.S. attempt to open Strait of Hormuz tests fragile Iran war ceasefire - Oregon Public Broadcasting