Middle East - Crude Petroleum Oil - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights
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Middle East - Crude Petroleum Oil - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights

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Dec 16, 2024

Crude Tanker Rates Drop Amid Weakening Chinese Demand

Spot rates for transporting crude oil from the Middle East to China have plummeted by a third this year, largely due to declining demand from China's top importer and OPEC+'s postponement in restarting idled supply. According to Bloomberg, this fall in rates, particularly for Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), contradicts the usual seasonal trends witnessed in the final quarter.

In 2023, Saudi Arabia, leading the crude oil export efforts from the Middle East, achieved an export value of USD 206.7 billion. Following in export significance were the United Arab Emirates (USD 100.2 billion) and Iraq (USD 98.4 billion). Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates notably contributed USD 273.5 million in import value for crude oil. These figures highlight the Middle East's prominence in global crude oil trade, underscoring the substantial impacts of fluctuating demand dynamics in leading import regions like China.

China itself remains a major export destination, with a recorded value of USD 33.5 billion from diverse oil producers. However, a marked decrease in demand for crude oil has been noted, with year-to-date imports trailing almost 2% behind the pace of the previous year as policymakers address broader economic slowdowns impacting raw-material usage. Pertinently, the ongoing transition towards electric and LNG-powered vehicles is gradually reducing China's reliance on crude, paving the way for consecutive annual declines in crude prices.

The delay in OPEC+'s supply restart, orchestrated mainly by Saudi Arabia and Russia, compounded with increased output by rivals, reflects a challenging demand outlook. This scenario is mirrored by a 33% dip in the Baltic Exchange's TD3C Index, which tracks VLCC rates on the Middle East-to-Asia route, according to shipping brokers. Tanker operators face additional adversities such as geopolitical disruptions along traditional routes, further stressing an already volatile market landscape.

As China's demand softens, surging shadow tonnage from Iran and redistributed Russian crude from the Far East increase competition against traditional Middle East routes. Consequently, supertankers bound for China have hit a month-low, with charterers applying pressure through low bidding strategies, capitalizing on the affected market sentiment.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the crude oil market in the Middle East. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.

Product coverage:

    Country coverage:

    Data coverage:

    • Market volume and value
    • Per Capita consumption
    • Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term
    • Production in the Middle East, split by region and country
    • Trade (exports and imports) in the Middle East
    • Export and import prices
    • Market trends, drivers and restraints
    • Key market players and their profiles

    Reasons to buy this report:

    • Take advantage of the latest data
    • Find deeper insights into current market developments
    • Discover vital success factors affecting the market

    This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

    In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:

    1. How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
    2. How to load your idle production capacity
    3. How to boost your sales on overseas markets
    4. How to increase your profit margins
    5. How to make your supply chain more sustainable
    6. How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
    7. How to outsource production to other countries
    8. How to prepare your business for global expansion

    While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.

    1. 1. INTRODUCTION

      Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

      1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
      2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND AI PLATFORM
      3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
      4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS
    2. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

      A Quick Overview of Market Performance

      1. KEY FINDINGS
      2. MARKET TRENDS This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
    3. 3. MARKET OVERVIEW

      Understanding the Current State of The Market and Its Prospects

      1. MARKET SIZE
      2. CONSUMPTION BY COUNTRY
      3. MARKET FORECAST TO 2030
    4. 4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCT

      Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

      This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
      1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
      2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
      3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCT
      4. MOST TRADED PRODUCT
      5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCT FOR EXPORT
    5. 5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

      Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

      This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
      1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
      2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
      3. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
      4. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES
    6. 6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

      Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Exports

      This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
      1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
      2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
      3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
      4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
      5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS
    7. 7. PRODUCTION

      The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

      1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE
      2. PRODUCTION BY COUNTRY
    8. 8. IMPORTS

      The Largest Importers on The Market and How They Succeed

      1. IMPORTS FROM 2012–2024
      2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY
      3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY
    9. 9. EXPORTS

      The Largest Exporters on The Market and How They Succeed

      1. EXPORTS FROM 2012–2024
      2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY
      3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY
    10. 10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

      The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

      This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
    11. 11. COUNTRY PROFILES

      The Largest Markets And Their Profiles

      This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
      • Bahrain
      • Iran
      • Iraq
      • Israel
      • Jordan
      • Kuwait
      • Lebanon
      • Oman
      • Palestine
      • Qatar
      • Saudi Arabia
      • Syrian Arab Republic
      • Turkey
      • United Arab Emirates
      • Yemen
    12. LIST OF TABLES

      1. Key Findings In 2024
      2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
      3. Market Value, 2012–2024
      4. Per Capita Consumption, By Country, 2018–2024
      5. Production, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      6. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      7. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      8. Import Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024
      9. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      10. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      11. Export Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
    13. LIST OF FIGURES

      1. Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
      2. Market Value, 2012–2024
      3. Consumption, By Country, 2024
      4. Market Volume Forecast to 2030
      5. Market Value Forecast to 2030
      6. Products: Market Size And Growth, By Type
      7. Products: Average Per Capita Consumption, By Type
      8. Products: Exports And Growth, By Type
      9. Products: Export Prices And Growth, By Type
      10. Production Volume And Growth
      11. Exports And Growth
      12. Export Prices And Growth
      13. Market Size And Growth
      14. Per Capita Consumption
      15. Imports And Growth
      16. Import Prices
      17. Production, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
      18. Production, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
      19. Production, By Country, 2024
      20. Production, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      21. Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
      22. Imports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
      23. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
      24. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      25. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      26. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
      27. Exports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
      28. Exports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
      29. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
      30. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      31. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      32. Export Prices, 2012–2024

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