Asian refiners ask Aramco to shift Saudi crude loading to Egypt’s Sidi Kerir port amid Red Sea safety worries
Executive summary: Asian refiners have approached Aramco to load Saudi crude at Egypt’s Sidi Kerir port instead of using the Red Sea route. The shift could reroute crude supplies, influence freight rates, and require Aramco to adapt its loading infrastructure.
Who is involved: Asian refiners, Saudi Aramco, Egyptian port authorities at Sidi Kerir, and vessel owners operating in the Red Sea.
Likely next: Aramco will assess the feasibility of Sidi Kerir loadings; if approved, the new pickup point could be operational within the next few months.
Heightened risks to shipping safety in the Red Sea have led several Asian refiners to request that Saudi Aramco load its crude cargoes at Egypt’s Mediterranean port of Sidi Kerir rather than transit the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The move reflects growing reluctance among vessel owners to expose ships to the hazardous waterway. If adopted, the change could alter crude flow patterns and affect logistics costs for both Aramco and its Asian customers.
Timeline
- — Asian Refiners Seek Alternative Pickup Point for Saudi Crude (OilPrice)
Sources
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