Middle East Producers Maintain Covert Oil Shipments via Strait of Hormuz

11:44 - 17.08.2026


August 17, Fineko/abc.az. Middle Eastern oil producers are maintaining substantial crude exports from the Persian Gulf despite the prolonged conflict involving Iran, helping contain global oil prices and ease energy-driven inflation fears.

According to industry sources, undetected tanker transits through the Strait of Hormuz and ship-to-ship transfers in the Gulf of Oman continue at full capacity, despite repeated attacks on maritime vessels.

Trackers and analysts face challenges quantifying volumes due to minimal location signaling by shadow tankers, though sources state flows exceed the market's 4-million-barrel-per-day estimate. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright noted that daily throughput reached 9 million barrels over the past week. These sustained shipments have helped keep Brent crude futures bounded between $80 and $90 per barrel throughout August.