Saudi Arabia cancels late-September crude shipments to Europe

Saudi Arabia has cancelled crude oil shipments scheduled for European customers in late September after an attack forced the shutdown of its key East-West pipeline, according to industry sources.

Three sources said Riyadh informed European buyers on Tuesday that the affected cargoes would not be delivered as planned. The decision comes as Saudi authorities continue to deal with disruptions at the Red Sea oil hub of Yanbu.

The East-West pipeline, which carries crude from Saudi Arabia’s eastern oil fields to the Red Sea, was shut following an attack last week. The disruption has raised concerns over the kingdom’s ability to maintain crude exports through Yanbu.

Industry sources said the port had only around five to seven days of crude stocks available for export when the pipeline was taken offline. The cancellation of late-September shipments suggests Saudi Arabia does not expect the pipeline to resume operations before those supplies are exhausted.

European buyers have increasingly relied on Saudi crude shipped through Yanbu after the Strait of Hormuz became unavailable earlier this year. The latest disruption therefore adds another challenge for refiners already facing difficulties securing supplies.

Oil loadings at Yanbu have also been suspended, according to shipping industry sources. Saudi Aramco, which has expanded its use of the Red Sea terminal since the start of the US-Iran conflict in February, has not publicly commented on the suspension.

The disruption has also raised fresh concerns after the YASREF refinery at Yanbu was reportedly hit in a separate attack on Tuesday. The refinery is an important part of Saudi Arabia’s downstream oil infrastructure.

The developments come amid heightened regional tensions and growing pressure on oil supply routes. Any prolonged interruption at Yanbu could further tighten crude availability for European markets and add volatility to global oil prices.

Meanwhile, Türkiye has called for an immediate halt to attacks in the Gulf, warning that the escalating exchanges were undermining diplomatic efforts to end the US-Iran conflict.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the continuing attacks were affecting efforts aimed at achieving peace. Speaking alongside Azerbaijan’s foreign minister in Baku, Fidan stressed that regional stability, including the security of neighbouring Iran, remained important to Ankara.

He also called for freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and urged the restoration of conditions that existed before the war. Fidan said Türkiye was maintaining contact with all relevant parties in an effort to help find a solution to the crisis.