Middle East Crude Exports Exceed Pre-War Levels Despite Hormuz Attacks
Middle Eastern crude oil exports surpassed pre-war levels in late September, reaching up to 22.5 million barrels per day despite ongoing tanker attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.
Middle Eastern crude oil exports exceeded pre-war levels on four of the last seven days of September, according to shipping tracking firm Kpler data published on Monday by Reuters. On September 24 and between September 27 and 29, exports reached between 19.5 and 22.5 million barrels per day.
Before the escalation, average crude oil exports from the Middle East stood at 18 million barrels per day. By October 1, the average export volume for the preceding seven days had already reached 18.5 million barrels per day, slightly above pre-war levels.
Meanwhile, at least seven attacks were reported in the Strait of Hormuz area. According to maritime intelligence firm Marisks, at least seven incidents have been reported in the region. Notably, the giant crude oil tanker Kazimah III was hit on October 1 by an unidentified missile or projectile while transiting the strait and caught fire. All crew members were safely rescued.
Britain's UKMTO agency reported at least one attack per day in the Strait of Hormuz or the Gulf of Aden since October 2. Marisk warned that commercial vessels passing through the strait face an "increasingly heightened and unpredictable kinetic threat."
