Airlines Scramble for Jet Fuel as Hormuz Disruption Drags On

The months-long closure of the Strait of Hormuz has led to severe fuel shortages around the globe, as companies battle to continue operations. Airlines have been hit hard as they struggle to obtain enough jet fuel to maintain their regular flight schedules. The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz – a key trade corridor connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, via which roughly 20 per cent of the world’s oil is transported when fully operational. Several months of closures…

Refining & Products Context

Downstream margins — or crack spreads — have experienced considerable volatility as refinery operators navigate feedstock cost fluctuations, product demand seasonality, and evolving fuel specifications. Gasoline and distillate margins serve as key profitability levers for integrated refiners.

Refinery utilization rates, particularly in the U.S. Gulf Coast and Northwest European hubs, directly influence product availability and pricing. Unplanned outages, scheduled turnarounds, and weather-related disruptions are recurring factors that tighten regional product supply.

What to Watch

Key metrics to watch include refinery utilization rates, weekly distillate inventory builds or draws, and crack spread movements, which serve as real-time indicators of refining profitability across major processing hubs.