The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has transported oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route, with vessel tracking systems disabled, as tensions with Iran disrupt maritime routes and global energy flows.
According to the report, the UAE and oil buyers have recently moved several tankers loaded with crude through the strategic chokepoint while turning off location trackers to reduce the risk of being targeted by Iranian attacks, Reuters reported, citing industry sources and data.
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Data from vessel‑tracking firm Kpler and SynMax showed that the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) exported at least six million barrels of crude in April via four tankers.
The cargo included Upper Zakum and Das crude, and was either transferred between ships at sea, delivered to storage facilities in Oman, or shipped directly to refineries in South Korea and Southeast Asia, according to sources.
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Since the escalation of hostilities, ADNOC has reduced its exports by more than one million barrels per day, compared with 3.1 million barrels per day last year.
Much of its remaining exports now consist of Murban crude, which is transported via pipeline to the UAE port of Fujairah outside the Gulf.
The report said other Gulf producers – including Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar - have cut back or adjusted exports by lowering prices or redirecting shipments, while Saudi Arabia has shifted more deliveries through the Red Sea.
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Following this, on Monday, Abu Dhabi accused Iran of launching a drone attack on an empty ADNOC tanker, highlighting the dangers facing vessels navigating the region.
Turning off ship tracking systems is a tactic often used to avoid detection but makes it difficult to assess actual export volumes, which analysts say may be higher than reported.
This type of tactic is also used by Iran itself in order to avoid US sanctions on oil exports.
The situation comes amid ongoing military tensions between Iran, Israel, and the US. According to Ukrinform, Washington recently concluded its “Epic Fury” military campaign against Iran, with officials saying the conflict has entered a new phase.
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On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump also announced a temporary pause in a naval operation escorting commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, citing progress in ongoing negotiations.
He also urged Iran to “do the smart thing” and reach an agreement to end the conflict, while insisting that any deal must prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
“Project Freedom (The Movement of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The Strait of Hormuz continues to face heightened security risks, raising concerns over energy supply disruptions.