Saudi Arabia Increases Oil Loadings from Gulf Ports

Shipping data and satellite images, as reported by Bloomberg, indicate that Saudi Arabia is increasing oil loading at Gulf ports. The data showed that tankers with a combined capacity of nearly 7 million barrels were conducting loading operations at various parts of the Ras Tanura port, marking the highest activity since late June. Despite the increased reliance on Gulf ports, the kingdom’s total exports remain below pre-war levels, with average flows from Gulf and Red Sea ports reaching around 3.23 million barrels per day during the first 23 days of August, compared to 3.65 million barrels per day in May. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia boosted its exports through Egypt’s Sidi Kerir port to an average of 2.1 million barrels per day in August, up from around 700,000 barrels per day in the first half of 2026, reflecting the kingdom’s expansion in using alternative routes to maintain crude oil flows to global markets.