# Rocket Costs Less Than Oil Tanker Hiring

> Space launches now cheaper than hiring oil tankers due to Middle East conflict.
- Title: Rocket Costs Less Than Oil Tanker Hiring · Jalopnik | Shortify
- Summary: Space launches now cheaper than hiring oil tankers due to Middle East conflict. Shipping costs for oil have surged to $80 million per tanker voyage…
- Keywords: space launch, oil tanker, spacex, falcon 9, strait of hormuz, oil prices, shipping costs, iran war, houthi attacks, cars, culture, Rocket
- Source: Jalopnik — https://jalopnik.com/2282476/shooting-rocket-into-space-cheaper-than-hiring-oil-tanker
- Author: Collin Woodard
- Published: 2026-10-09T17:32:17+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: space launch, oil tanker, spacex, falcon 9, strait of hormuz, oil prices, shipping costs, iran war, houthi attacks, cars, culture
## Oil Tanker Shortage
Shipping costs have exploded due to a global oil tanker shortage.
## Rocket vs. Tanker Costs
A SpaceX Falcon 9 launch costs $74 million, cheaper than hiring a tanker for $80 million.
## Tanker Shortage Causes
Middle Eastern oil producers rely on shuttling oil through the Strait of Hormuz, stretching global fleet capacity.
## Impact on Shipping
Tanker routes add thousands of miles, raising transport costs from $4.50 to $41 per barrel.
## War and Shipping
Iran and Houthi attacks have damaged tankers, reducing fleet availability.
## Shipping Profits
Oil companies earn windfall profits as shipping costs surge to record levels.
## Economic Impact
Higher fuel prices have cost Americans over $100 billion in recent months.
## Future Outlook
Tanker shortages and high costs may persist until trade flows stabilize.
## Key takeaway

Shipping costs for oil have surged to $80 million per tanker voyage, exceeding SpaceX launch prices and driving up fuel prices.