Saudi Aramco Resumes Direct Tanker Traffic Through Hormuz Strait

Between August 12 and August 16, three tankers—Malaysia Prosperity, Algeria Prosperity, and Singapore Prosperity—each lifted approximately 2 million barrels of crude from the Ras Tanura and Juaymah terminals. Shipping data suggests this activity is accelerating, with six additional vessels slated for loading later this month. To mitigate risk, Aramco appears to be prioritizing its own fleet; seven tankers operated by the Saudi-based firm Bahri are currently positioned off the coasts of the UAE and Oman.

Despite this resumption, export routes remain far from conventional. Aramco continues to utilize ship-to-ship transfers off Fujairah to bypass the strait for certain buyers, while its alternative Red Sea strategy faces significant hurdles. The diversion of exports to the Yanbu terminal proved unsustainable due to Houthi interference, and while the Sidi Kerir terminal in Egypt remains an option, its capacity is a fraction of the volume previously handled by the Red Sea pipeline. With freight costs climbing and voyage times extending, the kingdom’s reliance on these cumbersome workarounds underscores the lingering fragility of its regional supply chain.