UAE Offers 1.87 Million Barrels of Saudi Crude from Damaged Supertanker
The United Arab Emirates has issued a specialized tender offering up to 1.87 million barrels of Saudi Arab Light crude recovered from a damaged supertanker off its coast.
The offering provides a rare commercial resolution following a maritime security incident that caused a localized oil spill and heightened operational risks across Gulf shipping lanes.
Saudi Crude Tender Issued Following Marine Incident
According to tender documents reviewed by Reuters, the UAE’s Ministry of Energy offered the damaged oil tanker crude for commercial purchase via a ship-to-ship (STS) transfer scheduled between November 10 and November 20.
The crude cargo was originally aboard the supertanker Gem No. 2, which was struck by an unidentified projectile off the coast of the UAE.
Initial tender documentation listed approximately 1.7 million barrels available for transfer, which was later revised upward to 1.87 million barrels. The commercial terms outlined in the Saudi crude oil tender align closely with standard crude sales administered by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), trade sources reported.
Cooperative Marketing Effort
It remains highly unusual for UAE authorities to market Saudi-origin crude directly. However, trade sources indicated that Saudi Aramco formally authorized UAE state entities to manage the sale of the tanker oil spill cargo on its behalf following the incident. Neither Saudi Aramco nor UAE government representatives publicly commented on the transaction details.
The Gem No. 2 suffered hull damage and a subsequent oil leak after being hit last month. UAE maritime response teams and coastal defense authorities contained the leak in late October while continuing damaged tanker salvage and environmental remediation along the coastline.
For shipowners, charterers, and maritime crude transport operators, the emergency tender underscores how regional authorities are acting to minimize commercial disruption and recover assets following hostile actions in critical maritime transit zones. The authorization of cross-border marketing agreements between Gulf oil producers highlights pragmatic operational strategies used to mitigate losses, clear high-risk waters, and ensure the continuity of regional energy exports despite persistent security threats near the Strait of Hormuz.
