Japanese Tankers Return to Middle East: Loading Resumes from Oman and UAE

Source link: Japanese Tankers Return to Middle East: Loading Resumes from Oman and UAE at a Glance. Japanese company tankers have resumed direct crude oil loading from terminals such as Mina Al Fahal in Oman and Fujairah in the UAE for the first time since hostilities began in February 2026. Japanese companies' policy toward the Strait of Hormuz has not changed; their approach remains selective and based on risk control and logistics costs. The volume […] Source site: Saf

For the first time since the conflict began in February 2026, tankers from Japanese companies have resumed direct loading of oil from terminals such as Mina Al Fahl in Oman and Fujairah in the UAE.

The policy of Japanese companies towards the Strait of Hormuz has not changed and their approach is selective and based on risk control and logistics costs.

The volume of ship-to-ship oil transfer related to Japan in the Middle East waters reached about 3.7 million barrels until October 11. Japan still supplies 93% of its crude oil imports from the Middle East.

Oil tankers owned by Japanese companies have started directly loading oil from the Middle East for the first time since the start of the war in February 2026. The increase in transportation costs has changed shipping routes and security concerns about the Strait of Hormuz remain.

The conflict around the Persian Gulf, which has lasted for more than seven months, has changed the shipping routes used by Japan to supply its oil. Instead of sending their tankers to high-risk areas, Japanese refineries and shipowners have chosen to transfer oil by ship to ship off the coast of India and Southeast Asia. But this method has also increased the delivery time and logistics costs.

Japanese tankers are once again carrying Omani oil

According to ship tracking data, the supertanker Idemitsu Maru, owned by Japanese energy company Idemitsu Kusan, arrived in Japan in early October with a cargo of Omani crude oil. This tanker, which left the Persian Gulf in April, received its new oil cargo from Mina Al-Fahl terminal in Oman.

According to data provided by shipping industry activists, at least two large oil tankers from different Japanese companies are expected to arrive at the port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates in the coming days and load oil cargoes bound for Japan.

Although tankers from Japanese companies have resumed direct loading of oil from the Middle East, these ships have not yet entered the Persian Gulf.

The security policy regarding the Strait of Hormuz has not changed

Idemitsu Kusan Corporation announced that there has been no change in its current approach regarding the passage of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. The company announced that its priority will be to maintain a stable supply of oil and ensure the safety of transportation operations.

After the clashes that began in February, Japanese companies have largely limited their activities around the Persian Gulf to protect ships and crews. Some Japanese tankers in the area have inevitably been waiting for months before departing.

Although the new shipment does not mean that shipping through the dangerous waters has fully resumed, it does show that Japanese companies are evaluating safe loading points.

Middle East oil transfer reached 3.7 million barrels

In addition to direct shipping, Japanese oil companies have begun increasing ship-to-ship oil transfers in Middle Eastern waters. The operation, which resumed in August in limited quantities, reached almost 4 million barrels during September.

As of October 11, the volume of ship-to-ship oil transfers to Japan by the country's companies has increased to approximately 3.7 million barrels. The volume of oil transfers carried out in the first 11 days of October approached the almost 4 million barrels recorded for the entire month of September. This suggests that Japanese oil buyers are once again using loading and transfer points in the Middle East.

High transportation costs change transportation routes

According to Japanese experts, the return of Japanese tankers to the region indicates a selective approach, not a comprehensive change of direction. In this regard, companies are trying to control safety risks and increase transportation efficiency at the same time.

Transfers from the coasts of India and Southeast Asia can travel longer distances and incur higher service charges. In contrast, direct loading from suitable terminals in the Middle East can reduce some of the transfer costs and waiting time. According to the claims, Japanese companies have switched to shorter and cheaper delivery options with security considerations in mind.

93% of the Middle East's share of imported oil from Japan

The Middle East is still a key player in Japan's energy supply. According to the data of 2025, almost 93% of the 823 million barrels of crude oil imported by Japan came from the countries of this region.

This shows the heavy dependence of Japan's economy on Middle Eastern oil. In this regard, a significant part of the country's refineries are designed to process light crude oil with medium density, containing sulfur and obtained from the Middle East.

The continuation of conflicts in the Middle East requires energy importers to consider security conditions when determining transportation routes. Japanese refiners and shipping companies have faced rising costs in recent months as they are forced to continue sea freight across far-flung areas.

However, in the new period, increasing the use of loading points such as Oman and Fujairah is on the agenda, but companies continue to evaluate the safety of tankers, loading conditions and logistics costs together to ensure the continuity of oil supply.