ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) and the Kuwait Oil Institute have recently taken steps to increase naphtha exports to Asia. This export is conducted through the transfer of shipments from one ship to another outside the Strait of Hormuz, an action that has helped petrochemical producers in Asia to boost their production levels.
Naphtha Export Details
According to maritime transport data from trade sources, ADNOC and the Kuwait Oil Institute exported nearly 1.6 million tons, equivalent to about 14 million barrels, of naphtha in August and September. This amount represents a significant increase compared to about 700,000 tons in March and April, when the U.S. and Israel's war against Iran disrupted trade flows.
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Kepler's data shows that these two companies exported a total of about 5 million tons of naphtha in August and September 2025, most of which headed towards Asia. Arman Ashraf, head of the natural gas liquids and oil division in Asia at FGE Nexant ECA, noted a significant improvement in direct naphtha loading from Fujairah.
New Strategies of ADNOC and Kuwait Oil Institute
ADNOC Marine loaded about 1.5 million tons of naphtha onto 25 ships in August and September to transfer these shipments near the coast of Sohar in Oman via ship-to-ship transfer. An ADNOC spokesperson emphasized that the company, as a reliable partner in the energy sector, is committed to supporting its customers across Asia and will continue to supply naphtha to the region.
In contrast, the Kuwait Oil Institute has also exported three shipments totaling about 180,000 tons. One naphtha trader based in Singapore stated that ADNOC still has opportunities to increase its exports, while the Kuwait Oil Institute and Qatar Energy have had a slower pace in resuming supplies.
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