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Iraq Tendering for Supertankers as Hormuz Exports Pass 3m bpd
Baghdad seeks vessels to maintain crude flows through the strait as exports recover to pre-conflict levels using ship-to-ship transfers.
Iraq Seeks Supertankers for Hormuz Transits#
Iraq is tendering for two or more oil supertankers to perform transits through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Bloomberg. The move comes as the country's crude exports through the waterway have surpassed 3 million barrels per day for the first time since the US-Iran conflict began in late February, oil minister Bassim Khudair said at a conference in Baghdad. Iraq exported nearly 3.4 million bpd through Hormuz before the war started on February 28.
Export Recovery Using Ship-to-Ship Operations#
Ali Al-Shatri, director-general of the State Oil Marketing Organization, told Iraq's Alawla TV that Baghdad has contracted with international oil companies to lift crude from Iraqi ports and transfer it through Hormuz using shuttling tactics and ship-to-ship operations. The companies offload oil to other vessels outside Hormuz and use the southern corridor close to Oman's Musandam peninsula, Al-Shatri said. Iraq's exports were no higher than 200,000 bpd when the current government took power in mid-May.
Hormuz Traffic Remains Below Pre-War Levels#
Shipping data from Kpler showed the daily average of commodity vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz was 10 over the past 10 days, the lowest level since May, following US and Iranian attacks on tankers. Only two ships transited the strait on Saturday, while six passed through on Sunday, most via the Iranian route. No very large crude carriers have left Hormuz since Wednesday, according to the data. Total daily flows out of Hormuz are currently estimated at about 10 million bpd, of which 9 million bpd are crude.
Iran-Oman Corridor Negotiations Continue#
Iran announced Monday that negotiations with Oman regarding a temporary shipping lane through Hormuz have entered final stages, with Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei saying the talks saw very good progress. The anticipated agreement aims to organize a safe and temporary route for commercial vessels through the strait, with the possibility of registering it with the International Maritime Organization. Iran said the restricted zone would extend from the US naval blockade line through Hormuz and into the Persian Gulf, with vessels required to coordinate with Tehran to enter.
Sources5 sources across 4 domains
- bloomberg.comBloombergIraq tendering for two or more oil supertankers for Hormuz transits
- agbi.comAGBIIraq crude exports surpassed 3 million bpd through Hormuz in September; exports were 200,000 bpd in mid-May; Iraq exported 3.4 million bpd before February 28; ship-to-ship transfers and southern corridor usage
- egyptindependent.comEgypt IndependentDaily average of commodity vessels transiting Hormuz was 10 over past 10 days; two ships on Saturday, six on Sunday; no VLCCs left Hormuz since Wednesday
- oilprice.comOilPrice.comTotal daily flows out of Hormuz estimated at 10 million bpd, of which 9 million bpd are crude
- oilprice.comOilPrice.comIran-Oman negotiations on temporary corridor; restricted zone from US blockade line through Hormuz into Persian Gulf; vessels required to coordinate with Tehran
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MENA Trade Monitor is published by Arabian Media Network. Pieces are produced by the Chokepoint Watch with AI-assisted synthesis of the cited sources and automated verification against the network's editorial policy. Every piece carries a desk rather than a reporter. Corrections are recorded on the piece and on the corrections page.
Transits, closures, advisories, war risk premia and rerouting cost for Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb and Suez. Same day, same shape, always numbers.