TRADE SOURCES and analysts say Saudi Arabia’s shift of crude exports from Red
Sea ports toward the Strait of Hormuz, alongside higher exports from other
producers, has pushed ship‑to‑ship (STS) transfer activity in the Gulf of Oman
close to capacity. They say increased Saudi loadings this month require more
VLCCs transiting Hormuz and conducting STS transfers, reducing available
tonnage, lifting freight rates and lengthening time crude spends at sea.
