The closure of the Strait of Hormuz on March 2, 2026, has immediately put Northwestern Europe’s jet fuel supply at high risk. Unlike crude oil, which Europe primarily sources from Norway and the United States, Europe is critically dependent on the Middle East for refined "middle distillates," specifically jet fuel and diesel.
Vulnerability of the Jet Fuel Supply Chain
Europe relies on the Middle East for approximately 45% of its waterborne jet fuel imports. The Strait of Hormuz is the primary transit point for more than half of these imports, making jet fuel the most at-risk petroleum product for the European market.
Import Reliance: Europe is a net importer of jet fuel, with imports accounting for roughly 30% of regional demand. In 2025, the EU and UK imported more than 25 million tonnes of jet fuel.
Transit Dependency: While only about 20% of Europe's diesel imports pass through Hormuz, more than 50% of its jet fuel imports rely on this chokepoint.
Replacement Challenges: Jet fuel is more difficult to replace than other fuels due to strict regional standards and a declining European refining landscape that cannot easily ramp up production.