Ship-to-Ship Oil Transfers in the Gulf Slow After Iranian Vessel Attacks

Satellite imagery released on July 18, 2026 showed only a single pair of tankers conducting a ship-to-ship (STS) oil transfer off Oman’s coast, compared with three pairs observed on July 11. Maritime sources estimate that just two or three STS transfers have occurred in recent days. Concurrently, ship broker Clarksons reported that supertanker transits through the Strait of Hormuz fell to an average of two per day over the past week, down from five the previous week and eight during late June and early July. At 2 million barrels per vessel, the decline represents a notable contraction in Gulf oil export capacity.

Reuters

Since early May, a U.S.-assisted program has guided tankers through makeshift routes near the Iranian and Omani coasts, using aerial and water drones, helicopters, and other assets to maintain the flow of tens of millions of barrels of oil. The scheme was designed to offset the impact of the “largest-ever disruption in oil and gas supplies” that began with the Iran-U.S. conflict in late February. Recent Iranian attacks on vessels have prompted some shipping companies to abandon the military-guided transit route, citing safety concerns.

Reuters

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards announced that two oil tankers “exploded” and were immobilised after attempting to transit the strait via an “unsafe” route. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright told ABC News that Washington will continue to assure traffic through the strait “without Iran’s cooperation.” He also noted that public ship-tracking data he had seen was “incorrect” and that current flows are “a little under 14 million barrels a day … that’s two-thirds of pre-conflict traffic, dramatically up from where we were back in March.”

Reuters

• “Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Monday two oil tankers had "exploded" and were immobilised after attempting to transit thestrait via an "unsafe" route.” — Iran’s Revolutionary Guards

Reuters

• “outlet ABC News on Sunday said Washington would continue to assure traffic through the strait "without Iran's cooperation".” — Chris Wright, U.S. Energy Secretary

Reuters

• “So, we’re at a little under 14 million barrels a day ... That’s two-thirds of pre-conflict traffic, dramatically up from where we were back in March.” — Chris Wright, U.S. Energy Secretary

Reuters

The slowdown in STS transfers and reduced supertanker crossings curtails the Gulf’s ability to meet pre-conflict export levels, tightening global oil supplies. While the U.S. operation has kept a substantial portion of flow alive, the recent Iranian attacks underscore the fragility of alternative routing and may prompt further volatility in energy prices until a more stable transit arrangement emerges.

Reuters