How the US Used Secretive Ship-to-Ship Transfers to Bypass Hormuz
As the Middle East crisis choked one of the world’s most vital energy corridors for over 100 days, the United States deployed an unconventional strategy to prevent a global energy collapse. By adopting tactics similar to those used in sanctions-busting, the US military orchestrated a massive, covert ship-to-ship oil transfer operation to keep Gulf crude moving despite Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Mechanics of a Covert Maritime Operation
Since early May, the US military has overseen a sophisticated network designed to move oil through the contested Strait of Hormuz without the need for traditional naval escorts. Instead of protecting ships with warships, the US military has focused on aerial surveillance, strict compliance monitoring, and logistical coordination.
The process involves a two-stage relay system. Smaller tankers carry crude through the Strait, maintaining a safe distance of 3,000 to 4,000 metres from one another to avoid detection and collision. To minimize their profile, these vessels often switch off transponders and dim their lights during transit. Once they pass the Iranian-claimed zone, they meet Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) at two strategic offshore hubs: Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates and near Sohar, Oman. These transfers are intensive, typically taking between 24 and 40 hours to complete before the loaded VLCCs head to international markets.
Operation by the Numbers: Scale and Impact
The scale of this "shadow" network is significant, despite the immense risks involved. Satellite imagery and shipping data reveal the following specifics of the operation:
- Volume Moved: It is estimated that at least 90 million barrels of crude oil and petroleum products have moved through this offshore network since early May.
- Vessel Involvement: At least 116 vessels have participated in these transfers to date.
- Peak Activity: The operation reached its zenith on June 11, with 17 pairs of ships conducting simultaneous transfers across the two designated hubs.
- Logistical Oversight: All operators must undergo rigorous compliance checks and coordinate transit slots through the US Navy’s Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping office in Bahrain.
While the 90 million barrels moved is substantial, it remains a fraction of the roughly 20 million barrels that typically pass through the Strait of Hormuz daily under normal conditions.
High Stakes and Navigational Risks
The operation is not without peril. Shipping industry officials have raised concerns regarding the increased risk of maritime collisions. Navigating at high speeds in total darkness—without transponders or lights—makes rapid course corrections nearly impossible. Furthermore, the geopolitical tension is palpable; the operation coincided with significant military friction, including the downing of an Apache helicopter on June 9.
The blockade of the Strait, which normally carries one-fifth of global oil consumption, triggered what has been described as the largest global energy supply shock in history, driving worldwide inflation. While recent reports suggest a potential reopening of the Strait under a framework peace deal, this secretive US-led operation served as a critical buffer against total energy paralysis.
Key Takeaways
- Tactical Shift: The US moved away from naval escorts toward a surveillance-and-transfer model, using smaller tankers to ferry oil to larger VLCCs offshore.
- Massive Volume: An estimated 90 million barrels of oil were moved through the Fujairah and Sohar hubs via this covert network since early May.
- Operational Risks: The use of "dark" transits and nighttime transfers has significantly increased the risk of maritime accidents and collisions in the Gulf of Oman.