BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 18. Saudi Aramco has resumed loading crude oil from within the Strait of Hormuz after suspending such operations for several weeks, Reuters reported, citing shipping data and trade sources.
The resumption comes after Aramco halted sales following attacks on its tanker fleet in the strait last month. Shipping data reportedly show that additional tankers are now waiting to load Saudi crude.
On Monday, the Saudi oil giant offered Asian refiners cargoes of Arab Medium and Arab Heavy crude for loading through ship-to-ship transfers off Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.
Analysts say the resumption of Saudi exports through this route could help ease shortages of heavier crude grades in international markets. Heavy crude produces larger quantities of residual fuel, which can be used as marine fuel or further processed into products including gasoline and diesel.
According to Reuters, three very large crude carriers — Malaysia Prosperity, Algeria Prosperity and Singapore Prosperity — each loaded 2 million barrels of crude at Saudi Arabia’s Juaymah and Ras Tanura terminals between August 12 and 16.
The three tankers therefore loaded a combined 6 million barrels of crude during the period.
Saudi Aramco declined to comment on the reported operations. Sinokor, the owner of the tankers, did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
