For journalists and researchers

Figures to quote

• The TradeTurbulence Stress Index read 82.8 out of 100 on 12 October 2026, in its “Severe” band.

  Source: TradeTurbulence Stress Index, built from published data; methodology.

• 11.9% of traffic through the world's major shipping chokepoints was running on a different route than in 2019–2023, against a baseline average of 3.8% (30-day average to 4 October 2026).

  Source: TradeTurbulence Route Displacement Index, derived from IMF PortWatch.

• US importers paid duty worth 8.2% of the value of goods imported in the 12 months to August 2026, against 5.1% in the 12 months before.

  Source: TradeTurbulence calculation from US Census Bureau import records (calculated duty ÷ imports for consumption).

• The highest effective US tariff rates over the same 12 months, among the 64 partners with a page: Bangladesh (27.9%), China (27.6%) and Cambodia (24.0%).

  Source: as above.

• The World Bank's monthly copper price averaged $14,474 a tonne in September 2026: the highest month in the World Bank's data, which starts in January 1960.

  Source: World Bank, Commodity Price Data, nominal US dollars.

• Bab el-Mandeb Strait transits have held more than 15% below their 2019-2023 baseline on a 30-day average for 996 consecutive days — a run that began in January 2024.

  As of 4 October 2026. Source: IMF PortWatch data, compiled by TradeTurbulence; every route against its baseline is on the chokepoints page.

• Bosporus Strait transits have held more than 15% below their 2019-2023 baseline on a 30-day average for 110 consecutive days — a run that began in June 2026.

  As of 4 October 2026. Source: IMF PortWatch data, compiled by TradeTurbulence; every route against its baseline is on the chokepoints page.

• Kerch Strait transits have held more than 15% below their 2019-2023 baseline on a 30-day average for 1,773 consecutive days — a run that began in November 2021.

  As of 4 October 2026. Source: IMF PortWatch data, compiled by TradeTurbulence; every route against its baseline is on the chokepoints page.

• Oresund Strait transits have held more than 15% below their 2019-2023 baseline on a 30-day average for 130 consecutive days — a run that began in May 2026.

  As of 4 October 2026. Source: IMF PortWatch data, compiled by TradeTurbulence; every route against its baseline is on the chokepoints page.

• Strait of Hormuz transits have held more than 15% below their 2019-2023 baseline on a 30-day average for 214 consecutive days — a run that began in March 2026.

  As of 4 October 2026. Source: IMF PortWatch data, compiled by TradeTurbulence; every route against its baseline is on the chokepoints page.

• Suez Canal transits have held more than 15% below their 2019-2023 baseline on a 30-day average for 982 consecutive days — a run that began in January 2024.

  As of 4 October 2026. Source: IMF PortWatch data, compiled by TradeTurbulence; every route against its baseline is on the chokepoints page.

• 3 of the 26 major maritime chokepoints are running at under half their 2019-2023 traffic on a 30-day average: Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Kerch Strait and Strait of Hormuz; the record is 4, reached on 3 October 2026.

  As of 4 October 2026. Source: IMF PortWatch data, compiled by TradeTurbulence; every route against its baseline is on the chokepoints page.

Figures are the latest each page carries, rebuilt as the data updates; quote them with the date shown. The pages give the history and the method behind each.