Analysis

Six VLCCs load nearly 12 million barrels at Ras Tanura amid Hormuz disruptions

Six VLCCs loaded nearly 12 million barrels at Ras Tanura and Juaymah on 21 September following drone strikes that shut Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline on 10-11 September, according to Kpler's cargo-analytics data. Four vessels entered the Gulf between 15 and 17 September on Route Undetermined AIS crossings, all in ballast and declaring Ras Tanura as their next port. Three of the six had already logged dark STS transfers or port calls in the previous six weeks, with activity beginning weeks before the pipeline was hit.