Sohar port on Oman's northern coast has become an increasingly common staging point for ship-to-ship (STS) oil transfers as shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz remain disrupted by an ongoing blockade. Shipowners and charterers are using STS operations to move crude and refined products between tankers outside the bottleneck in an effort to maintain deliveries to global markets.
How ship-to-ship transfers work
An STS operation typically brings two tankers alongside one another — either at anchor in a sheltered area or in designated transfer zones — where they are secured with fenders and mooring lines. Flexible hoses are connected between the vessels and cargo is pumped from one ship to the other under the supervision of specialist teams. The procedure requires calm weather, experienced crews, tug support and coordinated port or maritime authority oversight to manage navigation, communications and emergency preparedness.
Why Sohar is being used
Industry participants say ports located outside narrow chokepoints naturally attract more STS activity when transit through a nearby strait is constrained. Sohar's position on Oman's coastline and its role as a commercial and industrial port have made it a logical nearby option for tankers seeking to transfer cargo while avoiding the most congested or contested stretches of water. The port's facilities and anchorage conditions can accommodate the logistical needs of such operations, which is why it has become a focal point amid the current disruption.
Risks and complications
STS transfers are technically feasible but not without significant hazards. The close-quarter maneuvering of large tankers raises the risk of hull damage, collision, fires and oil spills, particularly if weather or sea conditions deteriorate. There are also legal and commercial complexities: insurers, charterers and regulators scrutinise the documentation, safety procedures and compliance with sanctions or trade restrictions. In addition, heightened geopolitical tensions around a blocked strait increase the potential for security incidents or interdiction, adding another layer of risk to these operations.
Wider implications
The uptick in STS activity at Sohar highlights how maritime operators adapt to supply-chain disruptions, but it also underscores growing demands on port authorities, insurers and regional regulators to ensure such transfers are managed safely and transparently. As long as the blockade persists, STS operations are likely to remain an important — if imperfect — workaround for keeping oil shipments moving, with attendant environmental, legal and commercial consequences that stakeholders must monitor closely.