West Asia oil shipments top pre-war levels despite rising tanker attacks
Crude exports from West Asia surpassed pre-war volumes on four days in late September, even as attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz increased.
According to ship-tracking firm Kpler, West Asian crude exports exceeded pre-war levels on four of the final seven days of September, with daily volumes ranging from 19.5 to 22.5 million barrels and a seven-day average of 18.5 million barrels per day as of October 1. The data encompass transits through the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, terminal shipments and ship-to-ship transfers in the Gulf of Oman, contributing to an overall average of 22.4 million barrels per day of crude, products, chemicals and non-gas liquids.
Despite this surge, maritime intelligence firm Marisks recorded at least seven tanker attacks in the region, including a projectile strike on the very large crude carrier Kazimah III that ignited a fire but resulted in the safe evacuation of all crew members. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency noted at least one attack per day in the Strait of Hormuz or Gulf of Aden since early October. Analysts suggest the pattern may reflect missiles aimed at a predefined engagement zone rather than selective targeting of individual vessels.
Why it matters
The data reveal that global oil supply remains resilient despite heightened security threats in a key shipping chokepoint.
How this story developed
- Sep 14 US claims Hormuz traffic improving as oil prices surge amid regional attacks
- Sep 16 Saudi Arabia said it intercepted a drone aimed at Mecca and accused Iran-backed Houthi rebels of the plot, which the rebels denied.
- Sep 16 Houthis seized coastal towns and islands at the mouth of the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
- Sep 19 The Saudi Directorate of Civil Defence said the danger has passed in Riyadh and al‑Kharj and urged residents to continue following its instructions and avoid gathering or filming.
- Sep 19 The Houthis announced new missile and drone strikes on Riyadh and Yanbu.
- Sep 21 Fire on the tanker was extinguished after the projectile strike.
- Sep 23 A cargo ship was struck by an unknown projectile, igniting a fire and forcing crew evacuation.
- Sep 24 Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other Gulf producers have rerouted oil through spare pipeline capacity and a U.S.-protected corridor, keeping global supply steady despite higher prices.
- Oct 3 A second tanker was hit east of Oman, adding to the earlier incident in the strait.
- Oct 5 The G7 announced a release of diesel and crude from emergency reserves.
- Oct 5 A U.S. naval blockade has caused a backlog of hundreds of trucks at the Gürbulak crossing, with waits up to five days.
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