When and where did Saudi Aramco resume crude oil loading operations, and what was the scale of the initial shipments?

Saudi Aramco resumed crude oil loading operations in the Strait of Hormuz during the second week of August, with three very large crude carriers (VLCCs) loading 2 million barrels each from the Ju'aymah and Ras Tanura loading terminals between August 12 and 16 — marking the first such shipments from those ports in three weeks. The company also announced it is offering Arab Medium and Arab Heavy crude for ship-to-ship transfers near Fujairah this month to Asian refiners, ending a sales halt caused by recent attacks on tankers amid escalated regional conflict.

What evidence indicates broader resumption of Saudi crude exports through the Strait of Hormuz beyond the initial three VLCCs?

According to vessel tracking data cited in the report, an additional six VLCCs are expected to load Saudi crude within the Strait of Hormuz later in August; moreover, traders noted that Saudi Aramco is deploying not only Sinokor-operated vessels but also its own tankers for transit through the strait, signaling a coordinated and expanding restart of export logistics following the earlier suspension due to security incidents.

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Saudi Aramco Resumes Crude Oil Loading Operations in Strait of Hormuz

Aug 24, 2026

Saudi Aramco resumed crude oil loading at Strait of Hormuz terminals in mid-August, ending weeks of sales stagnation caused by recent attacks. Three VLCCs loaded 2 million barrels each, with additional shipments expected to supply Asian refiners.

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