Shipping Stress Index — August 2026: 56.9

The Shipping Stress Index averaged 56.9 in August 2026, driven by several regional conflicts. Tension pushed higher due to new tanker strikes in the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. strikes to prevent mine threats, and a drone attack on Egypt. Pressures were also heightened as Trump threatened more strikes on Iran, warned he would bomb Oman if it got in the way, and refused to extend an Iran ceasefire. The index hit a peak of 72 on August 7, but it calmed significantly on August 22 when it dropped by 41 points to reach its lowest level of 27. The month ended on a quieter note as the index fell by another 5 points on August 30 while Trump weighed limited strikes against Iran.

Peak 72 on 2026-08-07 · low 27 on 2026-08-22 · locked record · ← July · Shipping Stress Index timeline · September → · World Tension, same month

• Trump threatens more strikes on Iran. Tensions from Hormuz to Kuwait and Gaza lead to more warnings PBS · 2026-08-01
• New Tanker Strike in Hormuz as Iran Vows Retaliation for U.S. Economic Offensive WSJ · 2026-08-26
• The Drone Attack on Egypt and the Widening Middle East War Carnegie Endowment for International Peace · 2026-08-03
• Trump weighing limited strikes against Iran to curb Hormuz attacks Axios · 2026-08-31
• U.S. strikes Iran to prevent Hormuz mine threat Axios · 2026-08-30
• Four crew, two rescuers killed in Red Sea attack; US strikes ship in Gulf of Oman reuters.com · 2026-08-12
• Houthi attack kills six in Red Sea; Trump slams Iran as hopes for Hormuz Strait deal dim CNBC · 2026-08-12
• U.S. and Iran trade strikes for first time in weeks over Strait of Hormuz control PBS · 2026-08-31

• Houthi attack kills six in Red Sea; Trump slams Iran as hopes for Hormuz Strait deal dim
• Trump won't extend Iran ceasefire, threatens to 'bomb' Oman if it 'gets in the way'
• A deal with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz may require a compromise from Trump
• Strait of Hormuz ship traffic near three-month low as U.S.-Iran deal in doubt