What happened

Bloomberg, citing traders, reported that in March Asian buyers booked about 60 million barrels of US crude oil for loading in April — the largest monthly figure since April 2023. By comparison: in January and February Asian countries were buying roughly 35 million barrels each month, according to data from Kpler and Vortexa.

“Asian buyers in March purchased the largest amount of American oil in three years.”

— Bloomberg (citing traders)

Reasons for the reorientation

The key driver is disruptions to traditional supplies from the Persian Gulf region after the escalation in the Middle East, which has effectively complicated tanker movements through the Strait of Hormuz. In such conditions buyers are looking for alternatives — and the US, as the largest producer, became an obvious source of emergency volumes.

Who bought and at what price

Among the buyers in March were refiners from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Thailand. One of the cargoes for Taiwan carried a premium of about $12–13 per barrel against Brent; other shipments were priced roughly $18 per barrel above the Dubai market. Significant price volatility this week is making precise pricing difficult.

Logistics and the time lag

An important nuance: oil booked for loading in April may reach Asia only in about two months. Therefore this rapid shift in flows does not provide an immediate solution to shortages or a sharp drop in prices — the effect will be delayed.

“In 2025 an average of 20 million barrels of oil and oil products per day passed through the Strait of Hormuz — about 25% of the world’s seaborne oil trade.”

— International Energy Agency (IEA)

Who benefits and what are the risks

The situation benefits US exporters: increased demand supports prices and export revenues. At the same time it highlights the vulnerability of global logistics routes: if delays in the Strait of Hormuz persist, regions dependent on seaborne supplies from the Persian Gulf will be forced to seek expensive and distant alternatives.

What this means for Ukraine

Rising energy prices from the rerouting of flows are reflected in the Ukrainian fuel market: LIGA.net has already explained why fuel prices in the country have risen sharply and what shortage risks exist. There are two practical takeaways for Ukraine: first, do not expect short-term relief because of the logistical lag; second, it is strategically important to diversify supply sources and strengthen transport corridors to reduce the impact of external shocks on the domestic market.

Conclusion

The sudden Asian demand for American oil is a symptom of a broader global energy security problem, not a one-off event. For Ukraine this is another signal: in light of external shocks it is necessary to bolster energy resilience — from reserves and logistics to diplomatic agreements with suppliers. Now the ball is in the court of those who can turn declarations into long-term contracts and reliable supply chains.

Sources: Bloomberg, Kpler, Vortexa, International Energy Agency (IEA), analysis by LIGA.net.