Second Supertanker Seen Loading at Saudi Oil Hub in Persian Gulf

(Bloomberg) — A second supertanker appeared moored at Saudi Arabia’s main oil export terminal inside the Persian Gulf, a further sign that loadings at the hub may be picking up as the kingdom’s alternative shipping route through the Red Sea comes under threat.

A satellite image from the European Union’s Sentinel 2 orbiter, captured on Thursday, showed another very large crude carrier — capable of loading about 2 million barrels of crude — moored at one of Ju’aymah’s single-point moorings, which form part of the giant Ras Tanura oil export complex. A nearby mooring where a different tanker had been berthed on Tuesday was empty.

Saudi Energy Ministry officials were not immediately available for comment.

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Throughout the Iran war, Saudi Arabia has diverted much of the oil traditionally shipped from the Persian Gulf to export terminals on its western Red Sea coast — an escape valve that helped prevent a damaging oil price spike. But that workaround is facing a growing threat from the Houthi rebels in Yemen, who are allied with Iran and have vowed to attack ships calling at Saudi ports.

The danger was underscored on Thursday as the Houthis claimed another attack on Saudi Aramco’s Jazan refinery on the Red Sea. It’s the second time in less than a week that the site has been attacked.

Other Persian Gulf producers, led by the United Arab Emirates, have managed to ferry millions of barrels out of the region in recent weeks on so-called shuttle runs by taking steps to avoid detection. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Tuesday that 9 million barrels a day have escaped in the past week, almost half prewar volumes.

The supertanker observed in Tuesday’s satellite imagery was the first vessel of its size to be seen at the Ras Tanura complex for almost a month.

For safety reasons, most ships stopped transmitting automated position signals while in the region at the start of the conflict, making it harder to track movements.