United States begins importing Iraqi fuel oil through Syria's Banias port

For the first time, the United States received shipments of fuel oil originating in Iraq that were transshipped via the Syrian Mediterranean port of Banias. The cargoes were loaded onto three mid‑size Aframax tankers in June and July, with the vessels On‑Passion, Nisos Christina and Green Warrior carrying roughly 716,600 bbl, 288,500 bbl and 414,400 bbl respectively. One load was off‑loaded in the Bahamas, another is slated for Texas, and the third is expected in the Gulf later in August.

The fuel oil was trucked across the Syrian border before being loaded at Banias, reflecting Iraq’s effort to open a new export corridor through the Mediterranean after the Strait of Hormuz was blocked earlier in the year. Iraqi officials say the Syrian route will later be expanded to handle crude oil and naphtha, giving Iraq a direct outlet to global markets and reducing reliance on Gulf shipping lanes.

The United States had already been importing Iraqi fuel oil directly since March, but these shipments mark the inaugural use of the Syrian pathway, signaling a shift in regional energy logistics.