Middle Eastern oil exports are recovering faster than the security situation around the Strait of Hormuz would suggest. But the return of crude to international markets is being achieved through a complicated and expensive shipping network rather than a return to normal conditions. Gulf oil flows excluding Iran recovered to more than 81% of pre-war levels in September, while crude exports from the wider Middle East exceeded pre-war levels on 14 days during the month, according to maritime intelligence firm Kpler, as reported by Al Jazeera.
The increase comes despite repeated attacks and threats against tankers.
