Jet Fuel Crisis Accelerates as Kuwait Strikes Remove ~10% of Seaborne Supply

At a Glance

• Strikes on Kuwait’s Mina Al-Ahmadi and Mina Abdulla refineries on March 19 have intensified the jet fuel crisis, which was already strained by the effective four-week closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
• Kuwait is the world’s second-largest exporter of jet fuel, and the affected volumes represent close to 10% of global seaborne trade, or just under 260,000 bpd of jet fuel exported in 2025.
• The disruption will have an outsized impact on northwest European supply, as destinations like France, the U.S., the Netherlands, and Belgium are among the top receivers of Kuwaiti jet fuel.
• There are 73 LR1 and LR2 product tankers laden with jet fuel globally, including eight cargoes currently trapped west of Hormuz with no new loadings observed for more than three days.
• Jet fuel was already trading at just over $202 per barrel on March 17, and the further tightening of supply is leading airlines to draw up contingency plans.

Strikes Disrupt a Critical Supply Hub

Attacks on Kuwait’s Mina Al-Ahmadi and Mina Abdulla refineries on March 19 are roiling the global jet fuel market — one of the less visible but critical energy commodities already under strain from the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, now entering its fourth week.

Windward’s Maritime AI™ platform shows 73 Long Range 1 (LR1) and Long Range 2 (LR2) product tankers currently laden with jet fuel globally, including 10 signaling destinations to Europe, which relies heavily on refinery output from Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. Eight cargoes are currently trapped west of Hormuz, with no new loadings observed for more than three days.

Kuwait’s Outsized Role in Global Jet Fuel Supply

Kuwait is the world’s second-largest exporter of jet fuel after South Korea, with 61% of its exports shipped from Mina Al-Ahmadi and Mina Abdulla. These cargoes are typically carried on LR tankers, reflecting long-haul trade flows into Europe and Asia.

France, the U.S., the Netherlands, and Belgium are among the top destinations for Kuwaiti jet fuel, meaning any sustained disruption will have an outsized impact on northwest European supply.

The volumes affected are material. Kuwait exported just under 260,000 bpd of jet fuel in 2025, representing close to 10% of global seaborne trade, currently estimated at around 1.77 million bpd.

While this may seem modest within the broader energy complex, the aviation sector is acutely exposed. Global jet fuel demand stands at approximately 7.9 million bpd, and regions such as Europe—where domestic production falls short—depend on seaborne imports to close the gap.

Prices and Supply Tighten Further

Jet fuel was already trading at just over $202 per barrel on March 17, underscoring how elevated prices had become even before the latest disruption.

With supply tightening further, airlines are now drawing up contingency plans. The duration of the Strait of Hormuz closure will likely determine the severity of shortages.

Kuwait National Petroleum Company has yet to provide clarity on the extent of damage to refining units or expected outage timelines.

*Analysis used data from commodities tracker Vortexa.