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 message, April 9 (UTC+8): With Asian customers scrambling to find alternative Middle Eastern oil supplies disrupted by the Iran war, U.S. crude oil exports are expected to reach 5.2 million barrels per day in April, up nearly one-third from 3.9 million barrels per day in March. Demand from Asian customers is set to rise 82% to 2.5 million barrels per day. Data from oil research firm Kpler shows that currently, 68 empty tankers are heading to the United States, compared with 24 the week before the war broke out on February 28, and an average level of 27 last year. The U.S. and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday, but after Israel attacked Lebanon, Iran said on Wednesday that it is closing the Strait of Hormuz. The blockade in the preceding weeks had pushed up U.S. oil prices by more than 50%. Earlier this week, WTI crude touched a four-year high above $110 per barrel, which is still more than 40% higher than pre-war levels. The Trump administration has announced the release of more than 170 million barrels of oil from strategic petroleum 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)