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, The Caspian Post reports, citing Bloomberg.

State-owned Kuwait Petroleum Corporation informed 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 impact regional oil flows.

The declaration does not amount to a complete halt in exports, but it enables Kuwait to legally pause or delay its obligations to buyers while logistical challenges persist.

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

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