Wood Mackenzie's latest briefing on Asian Oil, Refining, and Chemical Markets reveals that a prolonged Middle East conflict is projected to decrease global crude runs by an estimated 1.4 million barrels per day (b/d) in the fourth quarter of 2026. This reduction is anticipated to be most pronounced in Asia.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, a significant reduction in crude runs could translate into decreased demand for crude oil tankers, potentially leading to lower freight rates in the tanker segment. Furthermore, disruptions in refining capacity, especially in Asia, might affect the supply and pricing of bunker fuels, impacting operational costs for all vessel types.
