BY COMFORT OGBONNA
The United States military has been quietly coordinating a large-scale offshore oil transfer operation in the Gulf of Oman as part of efforts to maintain the flow of energy supplies from the Middle East during one of the most severe disruptions to global oil markets in recent history.
The operation, which began in early May, involves dozens of tanker vessels conducting ship-to-ship oil transfers at designated locations near the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz. The strategy allows Gulf oil producers to continue exporting crude and petroleum products despite heightened tensions with Iran and ongoing threats to commercial shipping in the region.
According to shipping records, satellite imagery, and sources familiar with the operation, at least 92 vessels have participated in the offshore transfer network. Two primary transfer zones have emerged as key hubs for the activity—one located off the coast of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates and another near the Omani port city of Sohar. Satellite images taken throughout May and June showed multiple pairs of vessels conducting simultaneous transfers, highlighting the scale of the operation.
The mission has relied heavily on advanced surveillance capabilities, including aerial drones, maritime drone vessels, helicopters, and other monitoring systems. These assets help track tanker movements, monitor security threats, and coordinate vessel traffic in an increasingly dangerous maritime environment. Sources familiar with the operation say the U.S. military has focused on surveillance, compliance checks, and logistical coordination rather than directly participating in the transfer of oil between vessels.
One military helicopter that was shot down by Iranian forces on June 9 while operating in the region was reportedly involved in the broader monitoring mission. The incident contributed to a sharp escalation in tensions and was followed by retaliatory strikes carried out by the United States. While the exact role of the aircraft remains unclear, satellite imagery from the day of the incident showed multiple tanker pairs engaged in transfer operations off the coast of Sohar.
The transfer locations are situated near the Gulf of Oman and close to the boundaries established by Iran’s recently created Persian Gulf Strait Authority, an organization tasked with managing activity around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. The authority has warned vessels operating in the area to comply with Iranian directives, and ships that fail to do so face potential risks from drones, missiles, or patrol craft operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, handling roughly 20% of global oil consumption under normal conditions. Following the outbreak of conflict involving Iran, the waterway effectively became inaccessible to many commercial vessels, triggering one of the largest disruptions to global energy supplies ever recorded. The resulting decline in oil flows contributed to higher energy costs and renewed inflationary pressures in numerous economies worldwide.
To overcome these challenges, the offshore transfer network uses a shuttle system in which smaller tankers transport oil through restricted areas before transferring their cargoes to larger Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) waiting outside the most dangerous zones. Once loaded, the VLCCs continue to international destinations, while the smaller vessels return to collect additional cargo.
Sources familiar with the operation say participating vessels travel to designated meeting points before approaching the strait. Their departures are carefully timed to maintain safe distances between ships, typically ranging from 3,000 to 4,000 meters apart. To reduce the risk of detection or targeting, many vessels reportedly travel with transponders disabled and navigation lights dimmed.
The oil transfer process itself can take between 24 and 40 hours. During this period, tankers are positioned side by side while crude oil, condensates, or refined petroleum products are transferred through specialized equipment. Once the transfer is completed, the receiving vessel departs for overseas markets while the shuttle tanker returns to repeat the process.
Industry experts note that the strategy mirrors methods previously used by Iran to move oil despite international sanctions. Ship-to-ship transfers have long been employed to obscure the origin of cargoes and avoid detection. However, the current operation differs significantly in scale, involving dozens of vessels and substantial logistical support designed to keep Gulf exports moving despite ongoing security threats.
Analysis of satellite imagery and shipping data suggests that more than 90 million barrels of crude oil and petroleum products may have been transported through the offshore network since early May. Although that volume remains well below the amount of oil that typically passes through the Strait of Hormuz on a daily basis during normal conditions, it represents a critical alternative route for maintaining exports from major Gulf producers.
International tanker operators have played a crucial role in the effort. Shipping records indicate that several global maritime companies have participated in receiving and transporting cargoes from the transfer zones. Industry executives have emphasized the importance of preserving freedom of navigation and ensuring global energy supplies continue reaching international markets despite geopolitical instability.
Participation in the system reportedly requires extensive compliance reviews. Shipping companies seeking access must submit detailed information regarding vessel ownership, cargo documentation, tracking histories, and operational procedures. Approved operators are then assigned specific transit windows and maintain communication with U.S. maritime coordination offices throughout their voyages.
The United Arab Emirates has emerged as one of the largest contributors to the transfer network. Shipping records indicate that significant volumes of Emirati crude have moved through the offshore system. Kuwait has also been an active participant, with several of its tankers involved in major transfers near Sohar. In one instance, more than two million barrels of crude oil were transferred from a Kuwaiti vessel before being shipped toward Asian markets.
Despite its success in maintaining some level of oil exports, analysts caution that the offshore network is not a long-term solution. The operation remains expensive, complex, and vulnerable to military escalation. The risk of drone attacks, missile strikes, vessel collisions, and other security incidents continues to pose a significant threat to ships operating in the region.
Experts argue that while the transfer system has helped ease pressure on global energy markets and prevented a complete halt in Gulf exports, it ultimately serves as a temporary measure. A lasting solution, they say, will depend on restoring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and reducing tensions between regional powers.
For now, the offshore transfer network stands as one of the most ambitious maritime logistics operations undertaken during a modern energy crisis, highlighting both the strategic importance of Gulf oil supplies and the extraordinary measures being used to keep them flowing to international markets.
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