Yanbu, Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's Red Sea gateway. We arrange VLCC freight, voyage planning and inspection for crude loading at Yanbu.
Yanbu is the Red Sea end of Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline, which runs from Abqaiq and lets crude reach the sea without crossing the Strait of Hormuz.
Since March 2026 Yanbu has become Saudi Arabia's main crude export gateway, with exports of about 5 million barrels a day in 2026 against 1.7 million a day from west-coast ports in 2025. We fix VLCCs, plan voyages and appoint inspectors.
The bypass route
About 2 million barrels a day of the pipeline's capacity normally serves domestic refineries, so the export ceiling is lower than the nominal figure. Crude loads at the Yanbu North and Yanbu South terminals, and an expansion of 1 to 2 million barrels a day is under discussion.
- VLCC freight from Yanbu
- Loading slot coordination
- Independent quantity and quality inspection
- Tracking to Asian and European refiners
Red Sea routing
Cargoes bound for Asia pass Bab el-Mandeb, where security risk remains. Cargoes bound for Europe can use the Suez Canal or the SUMED pipeline.
Frequently asked questions
Does Yanbu bypass Hormuz?
Yes. The East-West pipeline carries crude from Abqaiq to the Red Sea.
How much is exported from Yanbu?
About 5 million barrels a day in 2026.
Is there Red Sea risk?
Asia-bound cargoes pass Bab el-Mandeb, where security risk persists.
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Read moreLift crude at Yanbu
Send grade, volume and laycan. We will propose VLCC freight and routing.