Oil tankers from multiple countries secretly cross the Strait of Hormuz with transponders turned off, actual oil transport volumes may exceed expectations

1. According to media reports, oil-exporting countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait are secretly transporting fossil fuels through the Strait of Hormuz, with multiple tankers having turned off their ship transponders for consecutive months to conceal their routes. Due to the covert nature of these operations, the actual volume of oil passing through the strait is difficult to accurately calculate. However, Bloomberg points out that the actual transport volume may exceed the market's current estimate of 4 million barrels per day.2. This method of secret transportation faces significant security risks. The report states that since the outbreak of conflict, 23 vessels under Abu Dhabi National Oil Company alone have been attacked, resulting in 1 death and 20 injuries.3. Analysts believe that, in addition to covert shipping, increased pipeline transport and countries tapping into their national oil reserves are also collectively helping to mitigate the impact of Middle East conflicts on the global economy.4. U.S. Energy Secretary Granholm stated in early August that currently about 8 to 9 million barrels of oil are shipped daily through the Strait of Hormuz. However, The Wall Street Journal, citing satellite data, noted that in July, an average of just 26 ships passed through the strait daily— a fivefold decrease from pre-conflict levels. The discrepancy between the two sets of data reflects how decreased shipping transparency impacts statistical accuracy.