Saudi Red Sea Exports Help Europe Offset Jet Fuel Supply Disruption

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London: Saudi Arabia is increasing jet fuel shipments to Europe through the Red Sea, helping to ease supply concerns after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted key trade routes.

Data from shipping trackers Kpler and Vortexa showed that jet fuel imports by the European Union and the United Kingdom from Saudi Arabia's Red Sea port of Yanbu reached their highest levels since August 2025 during the first week of June.

According to Kpler, imports averaged 118,000 barrels per day, while Vortexa estimated flows at 140,000 barrels per day. The figures are well above the monthly high of 77,000 barrels per day recorded in January.

The increase highlights Saudi Arabia's growing role in supplying Europe as the conflict involving Iran has effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for Middle Eastern fuel exports.

Before the disruption, the Middle East supplied around 300,000 barrels of jet fuel per day to Europe through the strait. Europe imported an average of 550,000 barrels per day overall, with additional supplies coming from countries including India, Nigeria and the United States.

Analysts say continued shipments from Yanbu could help Europe fill part of the supply gap created by the disruption and demonstrate how global fuel trade flows are adapting to the closure of the waterway.

Europe has also boosted jet fuel imports from the United States and Nigeria, which averaged about 200,000 barrels per day in May. While the International Energy Agency had warned that supply tightness could emerge in June, European airlines have largely downplayed concerns about fuel shortages during the busy summer travel season.

Saudi Aramco declined to comment on the increase in exports.