Saudi Aramco rejoins the oil rush with Ras Tanura export restart

Two very large crude carriers controlled by Saudi's shipping arm Bahri were seen loading crude at Ras Tanura, the world's biggest oil port, while another waited nearby, the data showed. Each VLCC is capable of loading two million barrels of oil.

Saudi Aramco, among the last of major gulf producers to resume exports from inside the gulf, could not be immediately reached for comment outside office hours.

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) paused its operation to escort ships through the strait after the attack on the cargo ship, reigniting concerns about whether the preliminary deal to end the Iran war will hold.

Two US officials told Reuters that Iran had fired on the ship, while Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority, which Tehran established to manage requests for ships to travel through the strait, said vessels outside routes it has set will not be guaranteed safe passage.