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CommoditiesMediumUpdated•Originally published 13 October 2026•Updated 13 October 2026•
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Japanese Refiners Use STS Transfers Offshore Oman to Avoid Strait of Hormuz

Key Facts

1Japanese oil tankers are returning to the region to collect crude via ship-to-ship (STS) transfers offshore Oman or Fujairah.
2Japanese tankers have been avoiding the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf since the start of the war with Iran.

Japanese oil tankers are returning to the region to collect crude via ship-to-ship (STS) transfers offshore Oman or Fujairah. Bloomberg reported that these vessels have been avoiding the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf since the start of the war with Iran, as Japanese owners and refiners opt for offshore transfers to mitigate maritime risks.

These logistical shifts aim to ensure energy supply continuity to Japan while optimizing shipping costs through offshore transfers. According to Kpler data cited by Bloomberg, Japanese refiners and ship owners have transferred higher volumes of crude outside the Middle East this month compared to similar transfers elsewhere, reflecting extreme caution regarding direct transits into the Persian Gulf.

Latest Updates · 1

  1. Notable·

    Update: The ongoing Middle East crisis has driven tanker rates to record highs as of October 13, 2026. These soaring shipping costs have triggered global market imbalances, resulting in a heavy crude oversupply in the Americas while Asia and Europe face supply shortages.