𝗨𝗦 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝗢𝗶𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝘂𝗹𝗳
The United States military oversees ship-to-ship oil transfers to maintain Gulf energy exports. This operation began in early May to bypass the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
Key details of the operation:
- Smaller tankers carry oil through the Strait of Hormuz.
- These ships transfer cargo to larger vessels offshore.
- Transfer hubs exist at Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates and near Sohar in Oman.
- The US military monitors progress through aerial surveillance and compliance checks.
- Transfers take between 24 and 40 hours to finish.
- At least 116 vessels participated in these transfers.
- Satellite images show 12 pairs of ships operating in the Gulf of Oman.
- The operation peaked on June 11 with 17 pairs of ships transferring oil simultaneously.
Operational methods:
- Tankers depart at staggered intervals.
- Ships maintain distances of 3,000 to 4,000 metres from each other.
- Vessels switch off transponders and dim lights during transit.
- Shipping companies must pass compliance checks before receiving transit slots.
- Operators submit information to the US Navy office in Bahrain.
Impact and risks:
- Reuters estimates 90 million barrels of crude oil and petroleum products moved through this network since early May.
- This volume is lower than the 20 million barrels that moved through the Strait daily before the conflict.
- Darkened ships and high speeds increase the risk of collisions.
- The blockade in the Strait of Hormuz affected one fifth of global oil consumption.
- President Donald Trump stated the Strait of Hormuz will reopen this Friday under a peace deal with Iran.
Source: The Times of India