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Japanese Refiners Buy Middle East Crude Through Ship-to-Ship Transfers
oilprice.com · October 13, 2026 · Week 2026-42
Summary
Japanese oil tankers are altering their logistics to lift Middle Eastern crude by using ship-to-ship (STS) transfers in the Gulf of Oman, specifically offshore Oman and Fujairah. This shift allows them to avoid transiting the high-risk Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing regional conflict, demonstrating a market adaptation to geopolitical threats.
Strategic Implication
The shift to STS transfers underscores the sustained high-risk perception of the Strait of Hormuz, elevating the strategic importance of ports like Fujairah and Omani terminals as secure export hubs outside the strait.