The East-West pipeline is becoming increasingly important to Saudi Arabia’s crude export system as more volumes are shipped from the country’s west coast. Saudi Arabia is increasingly transporting crude through the East-West pipeline to the export terminal at Yanbu on the country’s west coast. From there, crude can be shipped via the Red Sea to international markets without passing through the Strait of Hormuz. This alternative export route has become increasingly important as traffic through Hormuz remains heavily constrained. Only

The East-West pipeline is becoming increasingly important to Saudi Arabia’s crude export system as more volumes are shipped from the country’s west coast. Saudi Arabia is increasingly transporting crude through the East-West pipeline to the export terminal at Yanbu on the country’s west coast. From there, crude can be shipped via the Red Sea to international markets without passing through the Strait of Hormuz. This alternative export route has become increasingly important as traffic through Hormuz remains heavily constrained. Only

Tanker and gas markets remain supported by constrained trade routes and limited prompt tonnage, while geopolitical disruption continues to reshape vessel availability Tankers: Suezmax rates surge as Atlantic tonnage tightens Crude tanker markets remained exceptionally strong this week, with Suezmaxes taking the lead as Atlantic availability tightened. Average Suezmax rates increased 13% to above $200,000/day, while West Africa–UKC rates surged as owners maintained pressure against a tightening position list. VLCC rates remained broadly unchanged at approximately $180,000/day, although firmer rates

A deal between the two nations has been reached in principle that partially reopens the Strait of Hormuz Iran and Oman have spent the past month negotiating new vessel traffic arrangements for the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most important oil shipping corridor. This week, Iran said the two countries had reached an agreement in principle covering almost all outstanding issues, including new entry and exit routes for maritime traffic. Iranian officials stressed that the framework does not amount to

Aramco assesses that global oil stocks require 18 months to replenish Aramco quantifies a restocking requirement that starts only once the strait reopensAramco’s CEO stated this week that global oil inventories would take up to 18 months to rebuild even if the Strait of Hormuz reopened immediately. More than 2.6 billion barrels have been lost to global supply chains and replacing them at an average supply rate of 2.1 million barrels per day sets that timeline. Aramco has also increased

Shipping markets are increasingly pricing route security rather than cargo volumes, as operators adapt faster than supply chains are disrupted Tankers: Crude earnings extend gains as trade disruptions, not cargo volumes, sets the market The crude tanker market is increasingly priced on where cargoes can safely load and how far they must sail, rather than on how much oil moves. Saudi barrels displaced from the Persian Gulf are leaving through Yanbu on the Red Sea, and owners willing to transit

The world has been running on reserves for months; refilling them will keep tankers and gas carriers busy well into 2027 The rebuild requirement is large and will take timeSince the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed in late February, the world has been drawing heavily on stored oil and gas to meet demand, depleting reserves to levels not seen in over two decades. Refilling those reserves requires ships, and a lot of them: according to MB Shipbrokers, restocking by

Traffic rebounded sharply after the June 18 MOU, but Iran’s re-declared closure on June 20 A partial reopening, not a return to normalWhen the US-Iran memorandum of understanding was signed on June 17, shipping activity recovered quickly: Kpler recorded 93 transits over the June 19-21 weekend, up from 32 the prior weekend, with US CENTCOM reporting 55 ships on June 20 carrying more than 17 million barrels, a single-day record. However, Iran’s military declared the strait closed again on June

The agreement is signed, but the Strait remains physically constrained while mine-clearance proceeds Tankers: VLCC rates jump 87% as owners hold back ahead of Gulf cargo flowsVLCC earnings rose 87% to approximately $195,000/day after the US-Iran agreement on 18 June 2026 raised expectations of restored Middle East oil flows. Owners pulled back from fixing, anticipating further rate gains, while charterers struggled to agree on terms. Suezmax markets also strengthened, led by active demand in West Africa and the Americas. If

Despite the deal signing, energy markets remain skeptical of how fast normal flows can resume Deal would end blockades on both Hormuz and Iranian shipping The US and Iran signed a nuclear agreement on June 18, ending two maritime blockades simultaneously: Tehran’s Strait of Hormuz closure and Washington’s sanctions-backed restriction on Iranian shipping and oil exports. The agreement grants Iran immediate sanctions waivers for oil sales resumption, with broader financial commitments and nuclear-program negotiations deferred to a 60-day window. Speaking