Before the current hostilities, six tankers occupying the terminal’s eight berths represented a standard operating day. The recent uptick remains a singular snapshot rather than a return to long-term stability, as every barrel must still navigate the high-risk Strait of Hormuz. While regional flows remain depressed, Iraq has demonstrated a unique resilience in maintaining output compared to neighboring producers.

Iran’s export volumes have plummeted to approximately 300,000 barrels per day this August, a stark drop from its 2025 average of 1.7 million. Iraq, conversely, continues to move roughly 2 million barrels per day. Chinese refiners, facing tightening supplies elsewhere in the Gulf, have aggressively secured Basrah Medium and Basrah Heavy grades. Though this spike in terminal activity does not signal an end to the broader Gulf oil crisis, it confirms that Iraq is successfully navigating logistical bottlenecks to keep its crude flowing to international markets.