Energy
Cargo ships are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas. According to a report, crude oil exports from the Gulf states have now returned to the levels seen before the outbreak of the Iran War. (File photo)
Keystone
Despite threats from Iran, oil exports from Arab producers in the Persian Gulf have been on the rise for some time. According to data provider Kpler, a “shuttle fleet” in the Strait of Hormuz is playing a role.
30.09.2026, 14:29According to a report by the data provider Kpler, crude oil exports from Arab countries in the Persian Gulf have reached levels similar to those seen before the outbreak of the Iran war. Crude oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz have recently averaged slightly above comparable levels prior to the outbreak of attacks in the strait, according to a report obtained by the German Press Agency.
The data primarily pertains to unprocessed crude oil. Refined products such as gasoline accounted for only about 19 percent of pre-war export levels by the end of the reporting period on Monday, the report adds.
According to the report, exports via pipelines to coasts outside the Gulf and a “shuttle fleet” escorted by the U.S. Navy play a crucial role: At least 63 VLCC supertankers are currently on the move for this purpose, with 35 of them making round trips through the strait approximately every 16 days, according to Kpler.
As early as Monday, the energy data provider Vortexa had reported an increase in oil exports in the region.
Iran had closed the Strait of Hormuz to shipping through threats and shelling at the start of the U.S.-Israeli attacks in late February. Since the strait is a bottleneck for international energy trade, oil prices rose worldwide as a result. Iranian oil exports have been virtually at a standstill for months due to a naval blockade enforced by the U.S. Navy.
