Gulf oil producers are increasingly utilizing ship-to-ship transfer operations near the Indian coastline to maintain supply chains to Asia. Data from Vortexa indicates that activity in the Gulf of Kutch reached 82 cargoes in September, totaling approximately 680,000 barrels per day, with refined products comprising the majority of this volume. This shift is attributed to significant operational delays and congestion at traditional hubs like Fujairah and Sohar, which are struggling to manage record-breaking throughput. Market analysts suggest that the existing export infrastructure around the Strait of Hormuz is facing mounting pressure, forcing producers to seek alternative logistical arrangements. By moving these operations further afield and adjusting pricing strategies, exporters aim to mitigate the impact of regional bottlenecks and security concerns that have hindered standard shipping routes.
Source : The National
Photo : The National
