The sudden shift follows the shutdown of the East-West pipeline, which typically allows the Kingdom to bypass the volatile chokepoint by transporting oil directly to the Red Sea. With that conduit only partially restored and full capacity weeks away, Riyadh is managing the logistics directly. Aramco is facilitating ship-to-ship transfers at the Omani port of Sohar to maintain supply chains to key Asian markets, including China, India, Japan, and South Korea.

This surge in volume through the Strait effectively doubles previous flow rates, a move that has stabilized energy markets by countering fears of a supply-driven price spike. By guaranteeing delivery logistics, Saudi Arabia has successfully maintained export momentum while repairs to the 4-million-barrel-per-day pipeline continue. The increased reliance on the Hormuz route provides a necessary buffer for Asian refiners, ensuring that global markets remain adequately supplied despite the regional infrastructure disruption.