These allocations offer a degree of supply stability as the kingdom navigates the dual threats of regional conflict in the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing Houthi aggression. While Aramco recently resumed operations at its Persian Gulf terminals of Ras Tanura and Juaymah—loading approximately 6 million barrels across three supertankers in mid-August—European customers remain prioritized for Mediterranean-based logistics.

For many buyers, the shift to Sidi Kerir serves as a necessary workaround to avoid the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a route increasingly shunned by commercial shipowners due to rising insurance costs and security risks. While Asian customers have expressed reluctance to accept cargoes via the vulnerable Yanbu terminal, European refiners gain a distinct advantage: receiving crude that is already positioned within the Mediterranean basin, effectively neutralizing the logistical complications posed by regional naval volatility.