Middle East Oil Flows to US Ports After Months of Disruption

A wave of Middle Eastern crude is making its way to US shores after months of disrupted flows due to wartime demand for American exports. At least 9 million barrels from the region are set to arrive at US ports throughout August, with a significant portion coming from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

The influx includes barrels released after the US and Iran agreed to a now collapsed ceasefire in June, as well as shipments from the so-called shuttle-trade. This trade has helped Middle Eastern producers move barrels through the vital energy chokepoint even as it remained largely blocked.

US commercial crude inventories hover near an eight-year low, with imports surging to their highest level since late 2024 last week. The influx may help ease pressure on physical markets and keep near-term prices in check, according to industry participants.