Traders say the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, prompting Asian refiners to seek alternative deliveries later this year; at least four Asian refiners bought U.S. crude this week. The U.S. and Iran both claim control of the strait, and vessel traffic fell below the monthly average in the back half of the week. With no near-term reopening visible, tighter fuel availability is boosting refining margins and pushing refiners to lock crude supplies outside the Gulf for the coming months.

Traders say the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, prompting Asian refiners to seek alternative deliveries later this year; at least four Asian refiners bought U.S. crude this week. The U.S. and Iran both claim control of the strait, and vessel traffic fell below the monthly average in the back half of the week. With no near-term reopening visible, tighter fuel availability is boosting refining margins and pushing refiners to lock crude supplies outside the Gulf for the coming months. South Korea’s GS Caltex bought 2 mln barrels of Mars crude from Shell for November delivery at roughly $13–14/bl over October Dubai. Japan’s Cosmo Energy bought Mars crude from a trader for November delivery. Japan’s ENEOS bought 2 mln barrels of WTI from the same trader for November delivery, at more than $10/bl over October WTI.