Kuwait declares force majeure as Hormuz blockade disrupts oil exports

Kuwait has declared force majeure on shipments of crude oil and refined products as the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz disrupts maritime traffic and prevents vessels from entering the Persian Gulf, Bloomberg reports.

State-owned Kuwait Petroleum Corporation notified customers that it is invoking a contractual clause allowing it to suspend scheduled deliveries due to circumstances beyond its control. The move comes as shipping restrictions through the strategic waterway continue to affect regional oil flows.

The declaration does not mean a full halt in exports, but it allows Kuwait to legally pause or delay obligations to buyers while logistics remain disrupted.

The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes, has been severely affected by ongoing geopolitical tensions, leading to widespread shipping delays and uncertainty in global energy markets.

The disruption has already contributed to volatility in oil prices and raised concerns about broader supply stability, as multiple Gulf producers face similar constraints.

By Vafa Guliyeva