Aramco to Boost Oil Exports from Ras Tanura to 60 Million Barrels in September and October
Saudi Aramco is set to increase crude oil exports from the Ras Tanura port on the Arabian Gulf to around 60 million barrels during September and October 2026, Reuters reported today, Friday, September 18, citing market traders. The move reflects the flexibility of Saudi Arabia’s export network and its ability to redirect shipments as supply conditions change.
According to the report, the plan will include moving some shipments through ship-to-ship transfers off the Omani port of Sohar, while Asian refineries in China, South Korea, India and Japan emerged among the buyers of the spot cargoes on offer.
Why Are Shipments from Ras Tanura Rising?
The increase in exports through Ras Tanura comes as export activity from the Kingdom’s western coast faces operational pressures linked to slower oil flows through the East-West pipeline following damage to several pumping stations in recent attacks. Reuters reported on September 17 that three pumping stations had been damaged, while the Kingdom is working to restore part of the pipeline’s operating capacity.
Aramco’s network is particularly important because it allows the Kingdom to use more than one route to transport crude to markets. Official Aramco documents confirm that the Ras Tanura port in the Eastern Province includes the Ras Tanura Terminal, the Ju’aymah Crude Oil Terminal and the Ju’aymah LPG Terminal, making it one of the company’s most important maritime shipping hubs on the Arabian Gulf.
Asia Leads the Buyers
Market information reported by Reuters indicates that the increase in spot supplies attracted buyers from Asia’s largest refining centers. The relative proximity of Asian markets gives Gulf ports a central role in the movement of Saudi crude, particularly when operating conditions require shipments to be redistributed among outlets.
The widely cited figure of 60 million barrels does not represent an announced change in the Kingdom’s production policy; rather, it concerns export flows and shipping routes during September and October. Aramco had also not issued a public comment confirming the details of the shipping plan reported by Reuters, as of the time this report was prepared. The details therefore remain attributed to market sources.
Logistical Flexibility in a Volatile Oil Market
In its first-half 2026 results, Aramco reaffirmed that diversified assets and strategic infrastructure, including pipelines, storage capacity and export facilities, support its ability to maintain business continuity and respond to market changes. The current moves once again highlight the importance of having multiple export outlets to protect Saudi energy flows.
At the market level, Reuters said the increase in supply associated with the new shipments contributed to a decline of more than $1 per barrel in oil futures prices during trading. As prices remain sensitive to any changes in supplies and shipping routes, the pace of restoring the East-West pipeline’s operating capacity and the volume of exports through the Gulf will remain important factors to monitor in the coming weeks.
Sources
Reuters, September 18, 2026: Report on Aramco’s plan to increase exports from Ras Tanura during September and October.
Saudi Aramco: Guide to ports and terminals and information on the Ras Tanura port.
Saudi Aramco, August 4, 2026: Second-quarter and first-half 2026 results.
