Business · Energy & Commodities · 2 hrs ago
Gulf oil exports top prewar levels despite attacks on ships
Gulf countries exported 24.6 million barrels of oil a day in the week ending 18 October, more than before the war with Iran began on 28 February.
The increase comes as Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz have risen.
Gulf exporters are using ship-to-ship transfers and other routes to keep oil moving despite the risks.
In September, about 40% of non-Iranian crude bypassed Hormuz, compared with 17% before the war.
But oil shipments through Hormuz remain more than a third below prewar levels, showing that the strait is still disrupting trade.
Prices have not settled: Brent was around $109 a barrel, while longer shipping routes have added to transport costs.
Exports have recovered, but the outlook remains fragile as traders worry about further military escalation.
Gulf countries exported 24.6 million barrels of oil per day in the week ending 18 October, above the prewar level of 23.3 million.
Exports have been sustained through ship-to-ship transfers and routes that bypass the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian attacks on vessels in the strait have increased, with at least 12 reported last week by UKMTO.
Oil prices remain elevated despite the export recovery, amid concern that flows are fragile and shipping costs have risen.
- Who
- Gulf oil-exporting countries, with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates among those using alternative routes.
- What
- Gulf oil exports exceeded prewar levels despite attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
- When
- In the week ending 18 October 2026.
- Where
- The Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, with some exports routed through the Red Sea.
- Why
- Ship-to-ship transfers and bypass routes have helped maintain exports despite attacks and disruption around Hormuz.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The US-Israeli war on Iran began.
Iraq signed a deal with Syria to rehabilitate a pipeline from northern Iraq to Syria’s Mediterranean coast.
About 40% of non-Iranian crude exported from the Gulf bypassed the Strait of Hormuz, according to Kpler.
Gulf countries exported 24.6 million barrels per day, above the prewar level.
- Gulf exports
- 24.6 million barrels per day in the week ending 18 October
- Prewar exports
- 23.3 million barrels per day
- Hormuz bypass share
- About 40% of non-Iranian crude exports in September, compared with 17% before the war
- Vessel attacks
- At least 12 attacks in the Strait of Hormuz last week, according to UKMTO
- Hormuz transit
- About 14 million barrels per day, or 82% of prewar levels, according to Sky TG24
4 sources
중동 원유 수출 하루 2460만 배럴…전쟁 전 수준 회복
Oil is now flowing out of the Persian Gulf like before the Iran war. Why prices may still not come down anytime soon.
Gulf exports more oil than it did before Iran war despite surge in Hormuz attacks
Dal Golfo Persico esce più petrolio che da prima della guerra: perché
What people are saying
finish the job