--- title: "Shadow Fleet: Persian Gulf Countries Secretly Transport Oil Through Closed Strait of Hormuz" description: "🛑 **Strait of Hormuz closed, but oil is flowing!** Persian Gulf countries (UAE, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait) are secretly transporting oil through the US-Iran conflict zone. Tankers disable GPS and transship in Oman. Oil prices are hitting records and could reach $150 per barrel. 🔥🛢️ #Oil #Crisis #Hormuz" date: 2026-08-17T23:30:52.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/shadow-fleet-persian-gulf-countries-secretly-transport-oil-through-closed-strait-of-hormuz tags: [oil-crisis, hormuz-strait, middle-east, bloomberg, energy-market, shadow-fleet] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Shadow Fleet: Persian Gulf Countries Secretly Transport Oil Through Closed Strait of Hormuz ![Shadow fleet of tankers in the Persian Gulf transporting oil through the Strait of Hormuz](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/18/tenevaya-filotiliya-strany-peridskogo-zaliva-tayno-peregonyayut-neft-cherez-ormuzskiy-proliv/tenevaya-filotiliya-strany-peridskogo-zaliva-tayno-peregonyayut-neft-cherez-ormuzskiy-proliv-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - Persian Gulf countries are secretly transporting oil through the closed Strait of Hormuz on tankers without AIS signals. - The volume of secret shipments likely exceeds market estimates of 4 million barrels per day. - Oil prices have risen to $120 and could reach $150 per barrel in the coming months. - Oil is transshipped onto other vessels in the Gulf of Oman after passing through the danger zone. In August 2026, the world faced an unprecedented crisis in global energy. Despite the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz to regular shipping due to the escalation of the conflict between the US and Iran, Persian Gulf countries found a way to continue exporting their main resource. According to Bloomberg data obtained from sources familiar with the situation, the UAE, Iraq, Qatar, and Kuwait have organized a large-scale covert logistics operation. ### Operation "Ghost": How Shadow Logistics Works The mechanism for bypassing the blockade proved complex and risky. Regional countries are using specialized tankers that, before entering the strait, completely disable their Automatic Identification System (AIS) and other tracking signals. These vessels, turning into "ghosts" on the radar, pass through the narrow choke point of the Strait of Hormuz, avoiding the attention of both Iranian armed forces and US Navy patrols. After successfully navigating the dangerous section, the tankers enter the calmer waters of the Gulf of Oman. There, a critically important stage of the operation takes place: the transshipment of crude oil onto other vessels, which then deliver the cargo to international buyers. This scheme allows for the concealment of the oil's true origin and complicates the task for adversaries attempting to intercept supplies. ### Economic Shock: Oil on the Brink of $150 The consequences of closing one of the planet's most important maritime routes were instant and devastating. The Strait of Hormuz has historically served as an artery through which about a quarter of the world's total oil volume passes. Its blockade led to a sharp spike in raw material prices, which approached the $120 per barrel mark even at the beginning of the crisis. Energy experts are giving pessimistic forecasts for the coming months. Due to chronic supply shortages and panic in the markets, prices could reach levels of $150 per barrel. This threatens a new wave of inflation and stagnation of the global economy, which is already in a vulnerable position. ### Hidden Volumes: Reality vs. Forecasts One of the most intriguing aspects of the current situation is the actual volume of shipments. According to sources familiar with logistics, the amount of oil transported along this disrupted route significantly exceeds market estimates. Analysts initially assumed the volume would be around 4 million barrels per day, however, the actual figures appear to be higher. Sources who wished to remain anonymous confirmed that Persian Gulf countries do not intend to stop exports, despite the mortal danger. This indicates that the economic dependence on oil revenues is so great that governments are willing to risk their fleets and the lives of their crews. ### Contradictory Data There are discrepancies in the estimates of the operation's scale. On one hand, official reports and open satellite monitoring data show a significant decline in activity in the strait, confirming the closure of the route for legal shipping. On the other hand, Bloomberg sources report a rise in "shadow" shipments that is not recorded in official statistics. Furthermore, there are contradictions regarding how accurately the volumes of transshipment in the Gulf of Oman are assessed. Some experts believe that 4 million barrels is more of an upper limit that is difficult to maintain under constant attacks, while insiders claim that actual volumes consistently exceed this figure. Until an independent audit is obtained, exact figures remain a subject of speculation. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: Why is the Strait of Hormuz closed? **A:** The strait is closed to regular shipping due to the conflict between the US and Iran, which has led to periodic attacks on vessels. ### Q: Which countries are participating in the secret shipments? **A:** The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iraq, Qatar, and Kuwait are participating in the operation. ### Q: What is the current price of oil? **A:** Prices have approached $120 per barrel, with a forecast for growth to $150.