Rising fuel prices impact shipments for local businesses

GASTONIA, N.C. — Approximately $20 million barrels of crude oil and oil products were shipped through the Strait of Hormuz per day in 2025.

With the waterway at a near-standstill, oil prices have skyrocketed from around $70 per barrel to around $95.

Channel 9’s Ken Lemon spoke to business owners, large and small, about how they’re navigating the changes.

Some small business owners told us the crisis is enough to force them to shut their doors.

But it’s not just the small business owners impacted by the war with Iran. Corporations are hit by the price at the pump and shipping costs.

The Executive Vice President of the Original Salt Company works at the headquarters in Gastonia, but he’s keeping an eye on developments in the Middle East.

“We check the market daily,” A.J. Nepa said.

The spices in their products come from 16 different countries. They are imported to the U.S., packaged, and sent to stores across the country. Their business runs on fuel.

“Raw material costs and freight and ocean costs,” said Nepa. All of that is highly influenced by Iran’s grip on oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports. He said prices on most supplies haven’t changed, but a few items have jumped.

“The 40% is on one of my core items,” Nepa said.

That hasn’t affected their pricing yet, but if gas prices stay high, he thinks it’ll be a different story.

“I am now starting to have conversations with clients about increases in prices,” said Nepa.

If the market does not change, the consumer will start to really feel the price of retail.

He said their company can work to absorb some of those costs.

But small business owners tell us privately that the price at the pump is hurting them. The owner of a local currier company who asked not to be identified said they are fighting for survival daily, and if gas prices stay high for the rest of the year, their company won’t make it.

The operators of the Original Salt Company said they were fortunate enough to buy supplies in bulk when prices dropped.

That’s why the rising cost of gas hasn’t hurt them as bad as some other businesses. They expect a price hike as soon as late summer.

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