Ship-to-Ship Transfers Offer a Way to Limit Hormuz Risks for Gulf Oil

Ship-to-ship oil transfers at sea are expanding as operators seek to move Gulf crude while limiting exposure to the dangers of crossing the Strait of Hormuz.

The approach involves transferring crude between tankers offshore, allowing different vessels to handle stages of the journey rather than relying on a single tanker throughout.

Smaller tankers are being used as part of the strategy to reduce the likelihood of being targeted. The aim is to keep crude moving while limiting the risks faced by vessels carrying it.

The growing use of offshore transfers reflects efforts to adapt oil transport to security threats around the strait. It is a way to manage exposure, rather than a guarantee of safe passage.