The closure of the Strait of Hormuz to maritime traffic has dealt a severe blow to global energy markets. The fallout from the crisis is no longer confined to oil and gas, but has now extended to strategic raw materials.

Iran has tightened transit restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, while the United States has begun imposing a blockade on Iranian ports and vessels passing through the waterway. The strait is a critical chokepoint not only for energy but also for global sulphur supplies; according to US Geological Survey data, the Middle East provides roughly 24% of the world’s 83.87 million metric tonnes of global sulphur production.

As the world anxiously monitored the disruptions to global energy markets, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) managed to route more oil through the Strait of Hormuz than any other producer over the past two months. According to Bloomberg, these additional supplies have helped alleviate pressure on global markets amid a historic energy crisis and widespread shipping disruptions in the region.

Data from analytics firm Kpler revealed that the supertanker Romania Prosperity appeared in the Gulf of Oman last Tuesday carrying crude belonging to the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), having switched off its transponder in late July. The vessel is one of dozens of ships that have successfully departed the Gulf recently, part of an unprecedented marketing and logistical mechanism adopted by Adnoc to maintain its export flow despite the risks surrounding the strait.

Bloomberg reported that the continuation of export operations relied on a suite of operational and security measures. These included the use of additional tankers, ship-to-ship cargo transfers in the Gulf of Oman after crossing the strait, and the utilisation of an overland pipeline that transports oil directly past the Strait of Hormuz, thereby reducing reliance on maritime transit in highly sensitive areas. Furthermore, some tankers resorted to temporarily disabling their Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) during transit, a practice the report described as a standard precautionary measure in maritime conflict zones.

Unprecedented tenders

Adnoc has sold more than 130 million barrels of crude through seven unprecedented tenders, according to traders familiar with the operations who spoke to Bloomberg on condition of anonymity. This volume equates to more than a full month of oil demand for Japan, Asia’s third-largest energy consumer.

The mechanisms adopted by Adnoc have “contributed to limiting supply losses resulting from the war, and helped calm oil markets that were anticipating greater shortages and steeper price hikes,” the agency noted. According to market data, global benchmark Brent crude traded near $79 a barrel last Thursday.

Data from Vortexa shows that Asian refiners, particularly in Japan and China, acquired the majority of these barrels. A significant number of the region’s refineries rely heavily on the medium and heavy sour crudes produced in the Middle East.

A senior oil market analyst at Sparta Commodities, John Goh, told Bloomberg that Adnoc’s barrels have contributed to stabilising supplies bound for Asia. Goh added that the region’s refineries cannot easily substitute the medium sour crudes typically produced by the Middle East, “making every cargo that manages to leave the Gulf of immense importance to Asian buyers.”

If you missed it: Former Iranian president came to Budapest for secret Mossad meetings, The New York Times claims

A major global oil power

Activist Hadef Al-Shehhi argues that a petro-state’s power is not measured solely “by the volume it produces; true influence in the energy market is shaped by production, export volume, proven reserves, spare production capacity, and the ability to deliver oil to markets safely and continuously.”

In a post on social media, he explained that while the US leads in global crude oil production, its high domestic consumption means a significant portion of its output is directed towards the internal market. Conversely, Saudi Arabia wields exceptional weight in the export market and possesses substantial capacity to increase production when necessary, granting it a pivotal role in global market stability.

“The UAE stands out among the most important global oil powers thanks to its vast reserves, growing production capacity, and exports, in addition to possessing strategic export infrastructure via Fujairah, outside the Strait of Hormuz, which bolsters the resilience of Emirati energy security,” he added.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that the positioning of the Port of Fujairah on the UAE’s east coast provides it with a strategic value that transcends traditional geographic descriptions. The Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly 20% of the world’s seaborne oil passes, is one of the most sensitive maritime chokepoints globally. Any military or political tension in this area could trigger a global spike in oil prices and disrupt supply chains. This underscores the Port of Fujairah’s significance as an effective alternative and a “sovereign insurance policy” for vital trade movements.

Fujairah Port: Key Statistics

 * Exports: Averaged over 1.7 million barrels per day of crude and refined fuel last year (roughly 1.7% of daily global demand), according to Kpler.

 * Marine Fuel Sales (2025): 7.4 million cubic metres (approx. 7.33 million tonnes), making it the world’s fourth-largest port behind Singapore, Rotterdam, and Zhoushan, per Reuters.

 * Storage Capacity: 18 million cubic metres, cementing its status as one of the world’s largest hubs for crude and fuel storage, as well as blending operations.

 * Refined Products: The Fujairah Oil Industry Zone houses the largest commercial storage capacity for refined products in the Middle East.