Gulf oil and LNG loading continues through Hormuz after fatal Ras Tanura crash

Ras Tanura had sat idle for roughly four months. On June 26, Saudi Aramco's crude terminal started loading again, the first cargoes in approximately four months.

Two days later, a helicopter near the terminal came down. Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Energy confirmed on June 28 that a crash had occurred, killing all 14 people on board. All were Saudi nationals. An investigation is underway; no cause has been announced.

Loading at the terminal continued.

By June 29, gCaptain and MarineLink both reported that oil and liquefied gas shipments were still moving from terminals across the Gulf. QatarEnergy vessels had been loading at Ras Laffan over the weekend. ADNOC tankers had departed Das Island earlier in June. The corridor between the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean was moving cargo again.

The Strait of Hormuz itself was rated at a Substantial threat level on June 27 by the Joint Maritime Information Center, following two tanker attacks in the space of two days. Ships are transiting under naval escort. Some are sailing without AIS active. Mine clearance operations continue in parts of the channel.