UAE Bars Sudan Cargoes, Stranding Crude Tanker Offloading Options

The United Arab Emirates has barred vessels carrying cargoes from Sudan from entering its ports, disrupting regional oil logistics. Ship-tracking data show at least one crude-laden tanker that had planned to call at a UAE terminal is now idling and may be forced to sail to Singapore to offload, traders said. The sudden restriction underscores growing operational risks along routes that funnel crude from the Red Sea and East Africa toward Asian refiners. In a separate development, tankers have begun discharging Venezuelan crude at U.S. Gulf Coast refineries for the first time since Washington canceled Chevron’s operating license in May, according to Argus Media. Three vessels delivered roughly 1.3 million barrels of heavy sour grades between 21 and 25 August, with cargoes split between Valero facilities in Texas and Louisiana. Traders expect the additional supply to weigh on prices for similar Colombian and Mexican grades in upcoming loading programs.