Middle East oil exports recover to highest level since start of war — Saudi Arabia boosts shipments

Crude exports from the Middle East’s main producers have recovered to their highest September levels since the start of the U.S.–Israel war against Iran, bringing partial relief to global energy markets, as Al Jazeera reports, citing Reuters data.

According to maritime intelligence firm Kpler, exports rose to 12.8 million barrels a day in September, with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates increasing shipments. The figure remains well below the 18.8 million barrels a day of February, before the war began.

The recovery followed the rebound of exports through the Strait of Hormuz, which are expected to reach about 7.4 million barrels a day this month. Saudi Arabia — which has diverted its oil exports from the Yanbu port on the Red Sea after attacks on its East–West pipeline — is expected to ship about 5.4 million barrels a day this month, a strong recovery from August’s 2.446 million barrels a day.

The data show Gulf producers are finding ways to get oil to market despite the war, while the Strait of Hormuz remains the epicenter of the standoff between Iran and the United States.