Ras Tanura Crude Loadings Resume After Months

Crude oil loadings have resumed at Ras Tanura, the Middle East's largest crude export port, in late June 2026, following a suspension that lasted nearly four months. The halt had been linked to a helicopter accident and wider security incidents across Gulf shipping routes.

The port, including the offshore Ju'aymah single-point moorings, is now operational for crude exports. At least two to three Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) have been observed loading or waiting offshore, with additional vessels queued nearby. Recent data shows five VLCCs carrying roughly 10 million barrels of Saudi crude have already exited the Strait of Hormuz after loading at the port. Each VLCC typically carries about 2 million barrels.

During the shutdown, Saudi exports were rerouted to Yanbu on the Red Sea, with the last Ras Tanura loading previously recorded on 8 March 2026 for cargo bound for China. Saudi crude exports had dropped to around 4 million barrels down from more than 7 million barrels amid the port halt and restrictions around the Strait of Hormuz.

With loadings back online, part of the Ras Tanura exports has been shifted to spot pricing for Asian buyers to speed up sales. Operational control and export decisions remain managed directly by Saudi Aramco and relevant state energy authorities through internal and commercial channels.

Why it matters: Ras Tanura is a cornerstone of the Kingdom's energy exports, and the return to full operations signals stabilizing shipping activity in the Gulf. For residents and the wider business community, restored export flows support broader economic stability and the Kingdom's role as a key global energy supplier.

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