Saudi Aramco resumes commercial oil shipments from Strait of Hormuz

According to shipping data and trade sources, Saudi Aramco resumed oil loading from its Juaymah and Ras Tanura terminals inside the Strait of Hormuz last week. The state energy giant had halted sales from this route for several weeks following attacks on its tanker fleet during the recent escalation of the US-Iran conflict. Three very large crude carriers (VLCCs) loaded a total of 6 million barrels of crude from these terminals between August 12 and 16.

Meanwhile, Saudi oil exports remain curtailed due to the blockade of the Red Sea by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. To bypass this, Aramco diverted some exports to the port of Yanbu and offered additional cargoes from the Mediterranean port of Sidi Kerir in Egypt. However, market analysts suggest that the Sidi Kerir route is not an efficient alternative for Asian customers due to high freight costs and longer voyage times.

Ship-tracking data indicates that in addition to Sinokor vessels, Saudi-based Bahri tankers may also be deployed for transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Aramco has declined to provide an official comment on the matter.