Shipping data showed that crude oil exports from the Middle East exceeded pre-war levels on four days during the final week of September, despite continued attacks and incidents involving vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
According to vessel-tracking data, regional crude exports ranged between 19.5 million and 22.5 million barrels per day on September 24 and during the period from September 27 to 29. These levels exceeded the pre-war average of about 18 million barrels per day recorded between March 2025 and February 2026.
The seven-day average for crude exports stood at about 18.5 million barrels per day on October 1.
The figures include oil movements through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, as well as exports from ports and ship-to-ship transfers in the Gulf of Oman.
Meanwhile, the average volume of combined shipments of crude oil, petroleum products, chemicals, and non-gas liquids reached about 22.4 million barrels per day during the final week of September.
In another indication of continued energy flows through the region, the number of liquefied natural gas shipments departing through the Strait of Hormuz in September reached its highest monthly level since February.
The vessel-tracking figures do not include ships that may have passed through the strait after switching off their Automatic Identification System transponders, preventing their movements from being tracked.
Before the war with Iran began on February 28, the Strait of Hormuz typically handled about 125 large commercial vessels each day, including oil and gas tankers, bulk carriers, and container ships. The strait accounts for roughly 20% of global daily crude oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.
Despite the increase in shipping traffic, security risks in the region have continued. A specialized shipping intelligence company reported that attacks on tankers persisted in and around the Strait of Hormuz, with at least seven incidents recorded.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency also reported at least one attack per day in the Strait of Hormuz or the Gulf of Aden since October 2.
The shipping intelligence company said commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz face an increasing and unpredictable threat amid a sharp rise in maritime traffic in recent weeks.
It added, however, that the available data do not necessarily indicate that the recent pattern of incidents represents deliberate targeting of specific commercial vessels.
