Middle East | When Shipping Patterns Change, Local Options Matter

18 September, 2026 – Shipping patterns across the Middle East are continuing to adjust.

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains heavily reduced, while changes in crude loading activity are putting greater focus on other locations in the region.

Only four commercial vessels were detected transiting the Strait yesterday, compared with a recent 10-day average of around 16. AIS data does not capture every transit, but the difference gives an indication of how significantly traffic has reduced.

A changing operational picture

With crude loadings at Yanbu suspended, Saudi Arabia has increased loadings from Gulf terminals, including Ras Tanura.

Additional Saudi crude is also being offered through ship-to-ship transfers off Sohar, Oman, outside the Strait of Hormuz.

For vessels operating in this changing environment, the practical requirements around each call become part of the planning.

Ras Tanura | What to plan for

• Crew changes are possible, subject to flight availability, airport and customs requirements, immigration status and weather conditions.
• For supplies, fresh water can be provided at North Pier through the terminal, while provisions can be delivered at anchorage by launch, weather permitting.
• Emergency medical assistance can be arranged, and local bunkering is possible by barge.

Sohar | What to plan for

• In Sohar, crew changes, provisions, fresh water, medical assistance and Cash to Master (CTM) can be arranged.
• Crew changes require some advance planning, with a minimum of two working days for visa approval. Immigration is unavailable between 18:00 and 08:00, with no visa stamping outside those hours.
• Bunkering is possible at anchorage. Alongside bunkering requires terminal approval and is not permitted at Sohar Liquid Terminal.
• Lay-up is possible at anchorage only, subject to Port Authority approval.

Different ports, different requirements

When routes or loading points change, knowing what can be arranged locally becomes part of the planning.

That is where having the right support on the ground matters.

YOUR VESSELS, OUR PORTS 

Across the Middle East, MasOceans works with Kanoo Shipping, our exclusive local partner, providing direct local coordination and operational support for vessel calls across the region.

For your next vessel call in the Middle East, please contact our Commercial Director, Martaxelle Erussard:

 martaxelle@masoceans.com
 +41 (0) 79 658 1504 / +41 (0) 22 552 0051