Crude exports from the Gulf rebound to pre-war volumes despite Hormuz bottleneck
Kpler data show that Gulf crude shipments reached 16.5 mbd in September, matching pre-war averages, even though only about 60% of oil could pass through Hormuz and most used shuttle tankers.
According to Emmanuel Belostrino of Kpler, roughly 60% of the oil that left the Gulf still traversed the Strait of Hormuz, with the majority carried by shuttle tankers. Despite this constraint, the region’s crude exports between Sept 1 and 28 totaled 16.5 million barrels per day, aligning with levels seen before the conflict began. The rebound reflects a shift away from reliance on tankers that must navigate the congested strait.
Why it matters
It shows that global oil supply chains can sustain output despite disruptions in a key maritime chokepoint.
How this story developed
- Sep 11 Smoke spotted near Saudi East-West oil pipeline as Houthi advances intensify
- Sep 26 Iran awaited an official U.S. reply to its UN‑transmitted peace initiative.
- Sep 26 In a speech to the UN General Assembly, Han Zheng highlighted China's view that global progress should be built on development and open cooperation. He warned that protectionist policies benefit no one and reiterated support for multilateral dialogue. The address also touched on the Middle East conflict, AI and the Belt and Road initiative, but did not mention Taiwan despite heightened US-China tensions. Analysts noted the speech was routine, with President Xi absent and senior officials rotating representation at the UN.
- Sep 26 Gulf leaders scheduled a meeting with Donald Trump to seek a diplomatic path with Iran.
- Sep 27 Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran will remain resolute and not retreat despite President Donald Trump's rejection of Iran’s seven‑day ceasefire and Strait of Hormuz reopening proposal.
- Sep 28 Han Zheng’s address emphasized Belt and Road cooperation with three‑quarters of participating nations.
- Sep 29 The U.S. Treasury announced sanctions on ten individuals and firms accused of obtaining weapons components for Iran's defence ministry.
- Oct 1 A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was forced to land in Saudi Arabia after the Omani co-pilot assaulted the captain in the cockpit.
- Oct 2 The United States has now sanctioned Iran's automotive and railway sectors.
- Oct 2 President Trump said investigators are working to determine whether Iran is linked to the co‑pilot.
- Oct 2 The United States granted an exemption permitting Iraqi Airways to resume pilgrim flights to Iran.
- Oct 3 A second tanker was hit east of Oman, adding to the earlier incident in the strait.
- Oct 3 A witness observed a large plume of fire and smoke near an Aramco facility in Riyadh on Saturday, with authorities yet to confirm the incident.
- Oct 3 Saudi jets launched 26 strikes on Sanaa following the fire at the Aramco site.
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