US Reportedly Uses Ship-To-Ship Oil Transfers Near Hormuz Edge
Report alleges covert US oil transfers near Strait of Hormuz amid tensions.
A reported US-led maritime operation involving covert ship-to-ship oil transfers has drawn attention amid heightened tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. According to satellite imagery and shipping data reviewed by Reuters, the operation has been taking place near the edges of the Strait, with activity concentrated off the coasts of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates and Sohar in Oman.
The operation reportedly began in early May and has involved at least 92 vessels. The transfers are said to use a shuttling method similar to tactics previously associated with sanctions evasion, where oil is moved between ships at sea rather than through ports. Convoys operate in tightly coordinated formations, with ships reportedly sailing 3,000 to 4,000 metres apart while keeping transponders switched off and lights dimmed to avoid detection.
Satellite analysis suggests that multiple simultaneous ship-to-ship transfers have been observed, including as many as 17 paired operations on certain days. The activity reportedly involves aerial coordination assets, including helicopters and unmanned systems, though US defence officials have denied that Central Command is directly conducting offshore oil transfer operations. Independent verification of some operational details remains limited.
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The reported activity comes amid broader regional tensions linked to the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies typically pass. The strategic waterway has long been a flashpoint in geopolitical disputes, and any disruption to traffic can have immediate global energy and inflationary consequences. Recent months have seen heightened security concerns in the area, including incidents involving tankers and maritime surveillance alerts.
Iranian authorities have previously signalled tighter oversight of maritime traffic near the Strait, while also warning of consequences for vessels operating in restricted zones. At the same time, shipping risk monitoring agencies have reported sporadic incidents involving unidentified projectiles and damaged vessels in nearby waters. While details remain contested, the situation underscores the fragility of energy supply routes passing through the Gulf region.
The developments highlight the growing complexity of maritime security in the Gulf, where strategic competition, sanctions enforcement, and energy logistics increasingly intersect. As diplomatic efforts continue in parallel, the reported covert operations reflect the broader uncertainty surrounding one of the world’s most sensitive shipping corridors.
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