Demand for Arabian Gulf Crude Export Dips in Q1

In the first quarter of 2017, more than 2.5 trillion ton miles were completed by the global VLCC and Suezmax fleet. This was down 4.6 percent from the previous quarter with a reduction in VLCC work done being the major contributor at -5.42 percent.

Over 50 percent of seaborne demand for crude exports stems from the Arabian Gulf. In Q1, AG export ton mile demand fell by a mammoth 14 percent. This follows promised OPEC production cuts, however, evidence shows that although AG exports are down, the slack is being met elsewhere.

Exporters of crude in the North Sea saw seaborne demand for VLCC and Suezmax cargoes jump 14 percent in Q1. It was the strongest quarter in history for North Sea exporters.

Also filling the gap is the U.S. Ton mile demand rose above 70 million ton miles which over the last two quarters represents an increase of 145 percent. A number of these journeys are comprised of VLCC cargoes over Suezmax on the long-haul from U.S. to locations such as China and Singapore.

The last quarter has shown that world VLCC and Suezmax ton miles have decreased, as have exports out of the Arabian Gulf. However, smaller producers have worked to meet the gap in demand.