Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. has instructed its onshore oil partners to collect their Murban crude shipments from the port of Jebel Dhanna, located inside the Persian Gulf behind the Strait of Hormuz. This logistical change affects how international buyers receive one of the UAE's flagship crude grades, which is widely used as a benchmark for Middle Eastern oil pricing.

Jebel Dhanna serves as a strategic loading point that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which roughly 20% of global oil passes. By directing partners to this port, ADNOC may be seeking to provide alternative shipping routes amid ongoing regional tensions. The move could impact delivery timelines and potentially offer more secure transit options for oil cargoes.

This shift in loading procedures comes as ADNOC continues to expand its influence in global oil markets, particularly through the launch of the Murban crude futures contract on the ICE Futures Abu Dhabi exchange. The change in port operations may signal ADNOC's efforts to enhance operational flexibility and maintain reliable supply chains for its international customers.