1. Exports Rebound but Remain Below Pre-War Levels: Kpler data shows that approximately 12.8 million barrels per day (bpd) of oil left the Middle East in September, with 7.4 million bpd passing through the Strait of Hormuz. This is the highest level since the US-Israel war with Iran, but still lower than the pre-war level of 18.8 million bpd. Iran claims the strait is closed to ships that did not coordinate with it.
2. Saudi Arabia and UAE Divert Supply: After Iran closed the strait in February, Saudi Arabia shifted supplies to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, while the UAE shifted to the Gulf of Oman port of Fujairah. However, Yanbu's traffic has declined in recent months due to Houthi attacks on Saudi ships and disruptions to the East-West Pipeline.
3. US Military Escorts and Covert Transit: Some ships used the US-monitored Hormuz route, close to the Omani coast, navigating at night with tracking systems disabled, and unloading cargo onto tankers outside the strait. US Central Command Commander Cooper stated that the US military has assisted with nearly 2,000 transits and over 1 billion barrels of oil in recent months. 4. Bypassing Africa: Saudi Arabia also transports oil destined for Asia via the Suez Canal or Egyptian pipelines to the Mediterranean Sea, and then around Africa.
