What specific actions has Saudi Aramco taken to resume oil exports from the Strait of Hormuz, and what evidence confirms this resumption?

Saudi Aramco resumed oil loading from inside the Strait of Hormuz last week, with three very large crude carriers (VLCCs) — Malaysia Prosperity, Algeria Prosperity, and Singapore Prosperity — each loading 2 million barrels of crude from the Juaymah and Ras Tanura terminals between August 12 and 16, marking the first such loadings in three weeks according to shiptracking data from Vortexa and Kpler; additionally, on Monday, Aramco offered Arab Medium and Arab Heavy crude cargoes for ship-to-ship transfers off Fujairah, UAE, this month, following a weeks-long halt due to attacks on its tanker fleet during the U.S.-Iran conflict escalation last month.

How is Saudi Arabia adapting its oil export routes amid regional disruptions, and what are the limitations of its alternative route via Egypt’s Sidi Kerir port?

Amid a Houthi blockade in the Red Sea, Saudi Aramco has diverted exports to Yanbu and offered additional crude cargoes for loading from Egypt’s Mediterranean port of Sidi Kerir as an alternative; however, only about 670,000 barrels per day are expected to be loaded there for Asia this month — up from zero in the previous three months but far below the pre-blockade level of 4 million barrels per day from Yanbu — and traders note that Asian buyers, especially Chinese refiners, are reluctant due to longer voyages and higher freight costs, indicating the Sidi Kerir route is not functioning effectively.

Saudi Arabia resumes oil loadings, sales from inside Strait of Hormuz

Aug 18, 2026

Saudi Aramco resumed oil loadings and sales from the Strait of Hormuz after a weeks-long halt caused by regional conflicts. This move aims to ease heavy crude supply tightness, although Red Sea exports remain restricted due to Houthi blockades.

reuters

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