A large number of ballast oil tankers are heading to the United States, and U.S. crude oil exports are expected to hit a record high in April.

ME News Report, April 9 (UTC+8), due to Asian customers rushing to find alternatives to Middle Eastern oil supplies interrupted by the Iran war, U.S. crude oil exports are expected to reach 5.2 million barrels per day in April, nearly one-third higher than the 3.9 million barrels per day in March, with demand from Asian customers increasing by 82% to 2.5 million barrels per day. Oil research firm Kpler data shows that currently, 68 oil tankers are en route to the United States, up from 24 a week before the outbreak of war on February 28, and the average level last year was 27 ships. The U.S. and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday, but after Israel attacked Lebanon, Iran stated on Wednesday that it is closing the Strait of Hormuz. Several weeks of blockade previously caused U.S. oil prices to rise by over 50%, and earlier this week, WTI crude oil hit a four-year high of over $110 per barrel, still more than 40% above pre-war levels. The Trump administration has announced the release of over 170 million barrels of oil from strategic reserves to control fuel prices, but U.S. gasoline prices have broken above $4 per gallon for the first time in four years. (Source: ODaily)