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West Asia Oil Exports Bounce Back to Pre-War Levels Despite Rising Tanker Attacks
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Firstpost•05-10-2026, 18:26
West Asia Oil Exports Bounce Back to Pre-War Levels Despite Rising Tanker Attacks
- •West Asia crude exports recovered to pre-war levels of 18.3 million barrels per day in September despite growing attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
- •The recovery was largely driven by increased shipments from Saudi Arabia and higher exports from Iraq after securing transit permission.
- •The boost in oil supplies is expected to ease tightness in the global oil market, particularly benefiting Asian refiners.
- •Commercial shipping faces severe security risks with recent reported strikes on vessels like the Kazimah III and the Lipsi.
Key Questions Answered
West Asia crude exports recovered to pre-war levels of 18.3 million barrels per day in September, driven largely by Saudi Arabia loading crude from the Red Sea and Gulf, and Iraq increasing shipments after securing Iranian permission to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
Commercial shipping faces an increasingly unpredictable security environment with at least seven incidents reported in a week, including the crude carrier Kazimah III hit by an unknown projectile on October 1 and the tanker Lipsi struck on October 4.
Before the war began on February 28, around 125 large commercial vessels typically passed through the Strait of Hormuz each day. The vital chokepoint handles roughly 20 percent of global crude oil and LNG supplies.
