Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. (Adnoc) has been actively and discreetly transporting oil and gas cargoes from the Persian Gulf, employing a strategy that appears to bypass both Iranian and US naval patrols. This clandestine operation for oil shipments, which leverages “dark transits” – the practice of switching off vessel transponders, allows Adnoc to reach energy-demanding customers while navigating the sensitive geopolitical landscape of the Strait of Hormuz. Data from vessel tracking, traders, and sources indicates Adnoc has been among the most successful energy producers in moving supplies out of the Middle East.
This approach for oil shipments is particularly notable as other Middle Eastern producers and Western commodity traders have also sought methods to move cargoes through Hormuz during nearly three months of conflict. However, these entities often rely on leased tankers, making them subject to the risk tolerance of the vessel owners. In contrast, Adnoc utilizes vessels controlled by Navig8, a company in which its shipping and logistics arm holds a majority stake, and Wanhua Chemical Group, a joint-venture partner. The fleet includes crude and clean petroleum product tankers, as well as gas carriers.
The proactive measures taken by Adnoc for oil shipments underscore the pressing need for oil producers to deliver supplies to the market, partly due to the limitations of their storage capacity. The United Arab Emirates’ departure from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in May also signals an increased willingness for Adnoc to explore more assertive strategies for exporting its oil.
The proximity of Adnoc’s loading points to Hormuz is a significant advantage. Crudes like Upper Zakum are loaded at Zirku Island, while naphtha and liquefied petroleum gas are sourced from Adnoc’s extensive refinery complex at Ruwais. These shorter transit routes allow for a rapid turnaround, with return journeys taking approximately one week. Adnoc has also managed to export at least three liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes through Hormuz using dark transits, with the most recent observed heading towards western India over the past weekend, according to ship-tracking information.
Satellite imagery suggests that LNG tankers have been docking at Das Island, Adnoc’s export facility within the Persian Gulf, for at least a month, despite no vessels broadcasting their positions in the vicinity. For gas departures, empty tankers approach the eastern entrance of the Strait of Hormuz, near the Fujairah anchorage, before ceasing signal transmission. They resume broadcasting their location only after clearing the strait and entering the Gulf of Oman.
