Oman Ports Emerge as Critical Hubs for Ship-To-Ship Oil Transfers

Oman’s Sohar port has emerged as a focal point for international energy logistics as the Strait of Hormuz remains under effective blockade. According to reports from Al Jazeera English, Saudi Arabia is increasingly utilizing ship-to-ship transfers off the Omani coast to export crude oil after its primary alternative route was compromised. This shift underscores the growing reliance on offshore staging areas to bypass the strait, a waterway that previously handled nearly a fifth of global energy trade.

The move comes after Iran-aligned Houthi forces damaged the East-West pipeline, a key infrastructure project designed to circumvent the strait. With the strait closed and the Bab al-Mandeb route facing similar security challenges, Riyadh has been forced to seek alternative pathways to reach global markets. Commercial vessels are increasingly avoiding the strait due to conflict risks, prompting the use of Omani ports as neutral ground for transferring cargo between tankers.

Strategic positioning of Gulf ports

Sohar and the UAE’s Fujairah have become central to these operations, situated just outside the contested waters. Sohar serves as a deepwater industrial hub with direct connectivity to Arabian Peninsula markets, while Fujairah offers a crucial offshore anchorage for bunkering and storage. Their proximity to the boundaries managed by Iran’s newly established Persian Gulf Strait Authority makes them sensitive but vital nodes for keeping energy exports moving.

Iranian authorities have reportedly targeted vessels using unauthorised routes near Omani waters, increasing the risk profile for any shipping activity in the region. Despite this, the US military has been reported to assist in these secretive transfers to ensure Gulf energy exports continue. This dynamic mirrors long-standing tactics used by Iran to export its own crude, suggesting a broader shift toward shadow logistics in the region.

Operational mechanics of offshore transfers

Ship-to-ship transfers involve the direct exchange of cargo between vessels at sea, a process that requires meticulous coordination and favourable weather conditions. One vessel typically maintains a steady course or anchors while the other approaches slowly. Hulls are brought parallel and protected by pneumatic fenders to absorb impact, reducing the risk of collision.

To maintain secrecy, vessel trackers are often disabled during these operations. After safety checks, pumps transfer the oil through connected hoses while operators closely monitor pressure and environmental conditions. This method serves as a logistical bridge when direct port access is restricted, allowing crude to move from Saudi tankers to other vessels without entering the blocked strait.

Risks and geopolitical implications

While these transfers provide a necessary workaround, they carry significant risks. The close proximity of large tankers in open water increases the potential for spills and accidents, particularly given the high volume of oil involved. Analysts note that the closure of the East-West pipeline has limited Riyadh’s options, making these offshore transfers a critical, albeit risky, component of global supply chains.

The situation highlights the fragility of global energy infrastructure in the face of geopolitical conflict. As the strait remains closed, the focus shifts to how long these alternative routes can sustain global demand. The next developments will likely depend on the resolution of the blockade and the continued stability of these offshore logistics hubs.