Satellite images show the first VLCC in weeks docking at a terminal near Ras
Tanura on Saudi Arabia’s Persian Gulf coast, suggesting Riyadh is working to
maintain crude exports. Shipping at Saudi ports remains affected by Iran-related
conflict, Strait of Hormuz tensions and Houthi threats. Riyadh has shifted some
loadings to Red Sea port Yanbu and is exporting via the SUMED pipeline to the
Mediterranean. Yanbu activity has declined from earlier levels; three tankers
are currently berthed there with combined capacity of about 3.4 mln barrels.
Market participants say Saudi export flows are moving away from traditional
Hormuz-to-Asia routes toward northbound Red Sea/Suez alternatives to reduce
security risk. Some tankers have switched off AIS and satellite monitoring has
temporal gaps, so actual Saudi crude loadings remain hard to confirm.
