UAE Crude Flows Through Hormuz Strait Despite Iran’s Blockade
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been actively running crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz, defying Iran’s blockade and bypassing traditional shipping routes. This development comes as a surprise to many, given the conventional wisdom that the Strait is completely blocked.
ADNOC’s Ghost Fleet Tactics
Emirati state-owned energy giant ADNOC has been using ghost-fleet tactics to move at least 6 million barrels of Upper Zakum and Das crude out of the Gulf in April alone. This was achieved through four tankers with AIS transponders switched off, mirroring the same tactic used by sanctioned Iranian fleets.
The specific vessels involved include a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) called the Hafeet, which loaded 2 million barrels of Upper Zakum inside the Gulf on April 7 and then executed a ship-to-ship transfer to the Olympic Luck outside the strait. Another VLCC, the Aliakmon I, carried 2 million barrels of Das crude out on April 27 and offloaded into Oman’s Ras Markaz storage. Two Suezmax tankers, the Odessa and Zouzou N., each carrying 1 million barrels of Upper Zakum, sailed directly to South Korean refiners.
Iran’s Response
Iran retaliated against ADNOC‘s ghost fleet tactics by striking an empty ADNOC tanker, the Barakah, with two drones on May 3. Despite this, ADNOC has signaled its intention to continue using ship-to-ship transfers at Fujairah and Oman’s Sohar.
Regional Impact
The UAE‘s decision to run crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz has significant implications for regional energy markets. The move is seen as a bold attempt by the UAE to unlock trapped supply and bypass traditional shipping routes, which have been disrupted by Iran’s blockade.
According to Kpler data, ADNOC has been forced to cut exports by more than 1 million barrels per day from the 3.1 million bpd it shipped in 2025. This reduction in exports has pushed crude prices past $100 a barrel.
Ongoing Talks
ADNOC intends to continue using ship-to-ship transfers at Fujairah and Oman’s Sohar, with talks ongoing with Asian refiners for May-loading cargoes. The company has notified customers that Das and Upper Zakum cargoes could load in May via STS transfers at these locations.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Gulf sits on barrels it can’t or won’t move. Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar have either halted sales, slashed prices to attract reluctant buyers, or gone quiet entirely. Saudi Arabia is rerouting via the Red Sea where it can. Only the UAE is playing the occasional round of Russian roulette through the world’s most critical oil chokepoint.
This development highlights the complex and ever-evolving dynamics at play in the Middle East energy market. As tensions continue to simmer between Iran and its regional rivals, the UAE‘s decision to run crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz will likely remain a key factor in shaping global energy markets.
Original Article: UAE Running Ghost Tankers Through Hormuz to Escape Iran’s Blockade — Oilprice