UAE Restored Near Pre-War Oil Flows Through Hormuz Using Dark Tanker Shuttle Runs
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Jul 5
UAE Restored Near Pre-War Oil Flows Through Hormuz Using Dark Tanker Shuttle Runs
3 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Jul 5
Summary
Just weeks into the war, the UAE began covertly moving crude through the Strait of Hormuz and had already neared its pre-war export pace by the time the US and Iran signed an interim peace deal.
The operation relied on tactics more often linked to sanctioned producers: tankers switched off transponders, often moved under cover of darkness, and shuttled cargo to larger vessels waiting outside the waterway.
Those ship-to-ship transfers let the UAE keep barrels flowing while reducing exposure inside one of the world's most vulnerable oil chokepoints.
The success of the shuttle runs shows how a major Gulf producer adapted wartime logistics to preserve exports during a conflict that threatened global crude supplies.
Has the US-Iran peace deal created a playbook for sanctioned nations to win concessions by threatening vital waterways?
With the UAE fast-tracking a bypass pipeline, is the Hormuz peace deal already considered a failure by regional powers?
The peace deal is signed, but with mines and drones still a threat, is the Strait of Hormuz truly open for business?
Securing UAE Oil Exports: Pipeline Growth, Covert Tanker Tactics, and the Global Impact of Gulf Shipping Disruptions
Overview
The UAE is strongly committed to sustaining its oil exports, driven by its reliance on hydrocarbon revenues, contractual obligations, and the need to maintain a reputation for supply reliability. Central to this strategy is the Habshan–Fujairah oil pipeline (ADCOP), which has a large capacity and allows Abu Dhabi to bypass the often risky Strait of Hormuz. The port of Fujairah, located outside this strait, plays a key role in ensuring stable exports. By combining robust infrastructure with strategic positioning, the UAE effectively reduces export risks and secures its place in the global energy market.