Saudi Aramco resumes oil shipments through Strait of Hormuz
Saudi Aramco has restarted oil loadings at Strait of Hormuz terminals after a three-week halt, shipping two million barrels each on three Malaysian, Algerian and Singapore-flagged VLCCs last week.
Source: Utusan Malaysia · August 19, 2026 at 3:30 PM · AI-assisted report
Corroborated
SINGAPORE, 19 AUGUST 2026 —
Saudi Aramco Resumes Oil Shipments via Strait of Hormuz After Three-Week Halt
Market Impact
KUALA LUMPUR – Saudi Aramco has resumed oil loadings at Strait of Hormuz terminals, shipping two million barrels each on three Malaysian, Algerian, and Singapore-flagged very large crude carriers (VLCCs) last week, according to shipping data.
The resumption follows a three-week halt due to heightened tensions in the region, including attacks on tanker fleets in the Strait of Hormuz amid U.S.-Iran tensions. The move is expected to ease global supply pressures for heavy crude grades, commonly used in shipping fuel or refined into high-quality products like petrol and diesel.
Saudi Aramco offered Arab Medium and Arab Heavy crude to refiners in Asia for ship-to-ship transfers in UAE waters near Fujairah on Monday. Loadings at Juaymah and Ras Tanura terminals occurred between Aug. 12 and 16, data from Vortexa and Kpler showed.
However, Saudi Arabia’s overall export volumes remain constrained due to maritime restrictions imposed by Yemen’s Houthi group in the Red Sea. Aramco has redirected some exports to Egypt’s Sidi Kerir port in the Mediterranean, though volumes remain significantly lower than pre-blockade levels, which once saw Yanbu port handle up to four million barrels per day.
Shipping costs and longer transit times have also dampened buyer interest. Details on further shipments were not immediately available from Saudi Aramco or Sinokor, the tanker operator involved.
Kpler data indicates at least six more VLCCs are scheduled to load Saudi crude via the Strait of Hormuz by the end of August. Industry observers suggest Aramco may deploy its own fleet, including vessels from state-owned Bahri, which has seven VLCCs currently anchored near UAE and Oman waters, with two en route to Fujairah.
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