Syria to open truck route for Iraqi crude to Baniyas port, bypassing Strait of Hormuz
In short
Syria plans to provide an overland route for Iraqi crude oil exports by truck to the Mediterranean port of Baniyas, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, the head of Syrian Petroleum Co., Yusef Kiblavi (Юсеф Киблави), said. He said the deal between the two governments is practically complete and he hopes the first convoy of tanker trucks carrying crude will reach Syria by mid-October. Baghdad has used the same route for fuel oil since the summer.
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Syria plans to provide an overland route for Iraqi crude oil exports that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz, the head of Syrian Petroleum Co., Yusef Kiblavi (Юсеф Киблави), said in comments reported by Kommersant citing Bloomberg. The crude would be carried by truck to the port of Baniyas on the Mediterranean. TASS quoted Kiblavi as saying the Syrian government intends to move supplies away from the Strait of Hormuz. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
"I expect the export of Iraqi crude oil through Syria by truck to begin as soon as possible, since the deal between both governments is practically complete. I hope that by mid-October the first convoy of tanker trucks with crude oil will arrive in Syria," Kiblavi said, according to Kommersant. RBC reported that Iraq may begin delivering crude by truck through Syria. [ 1 , 3 ]
Baghdad began using the same route to transport fuel oil in the summer, RBC reported. According to Bloomberg, as cited by Kommersant, about 1,000 trucks a day already use the Syrian route to export Iraqi fuel oil, and Kiblavi expects crude shipments to reach similar or larger numbers. [ 1 , 3 ]
At Baniyas, the Iraqi crude would be accumulated in Syrian Petroleum Co. tanks before being loaded onto tankers, Kommersant reported. As a longer-term option, Damascus and Baghdad are also discussing restoring an idle oil pipeline, on which work could begin in the first quarter of next year, according to the same report. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The route would give Iraq a way to export crude that avoids the Strait of Hormuz, according to the coverage. Russian business outlets and TASS reported the plan, with Kommersant citing Bloomberg; Kiblavi said crude volumes could match or exceed the roughly 1,000 trucks a day that already carry Iraqi fuel oil through Syria.
Key facts
- Syria plans to provide an overland route for Iraqi oil exports that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The crude would be carried by truck through Syria to the Mediterranean port of Baniyas. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Yusef Kiblavi, head of Syrian Petroleum Co., said the deal between the two governments is practically complete. [ 3 ]
- Kiblavi said he hopes the first convoy of tanker trucks carrying crude will arrive in Syria by mid-October. [ 3 ]
- About 1,000 trucks a day already use the Syrian route to export Iraqi fuel oil, Bloomberg reported, according to Kommersant; Baghdad began using the route for fuel oil in the summer. [ 1 , 3 ]
- At Baniyas the Iraqi crude would be stored in Syrian Petroleum Co. tanks before loading onto tankers. [ 3 ]
- Damascus and Baghdad are also discussing restoring an idle oil pipeline, with work possibly starting in the first quarter of next year. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- When crude shipments will actually start. Only Kiblavi's expectation of a first convoy by mid-October is reported; RBC says Iraq 'may' begin such deliveries.
- Whether the intergovernmental deal has been signed. Kiblavi described the deal as practically complete, not finished.
- The volume of crude to be shipped. Kiblavi only said he expects volumes similar to or larger than the roughly 1,000 trucks a day carrying fuel oil.
- Restoration of an idle oil pipeline discussed by Damascus and Baghdad. Kommersant, citing Bloomberg, says it is under discussion and work could begin in the first quarter of next year; no decision is reported.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- RBC reports Iraq may start trucking crude through Syria to Baniyas, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. [ 1 ]
- TASS reports Syrian Petroleum's head saying Syria will provide Iraq a route for oil transit. [ 2 ]
- Kommersant, citing Bloomberg, reports Kiblavi's expectation of a first crude convoy by mid-October. [ 3 ]