Saudi Aramco is holding private talks with several Asian refiners to supply crude oil through ship-to-ship (STS) transfers off Fujairah in the UAE, as producers seek alternative routes amid continued disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Reuters.

STS transfer is the process of transferring cargo, such as crude oil, directly from one vessel to another at sea or in an offshore location, rather than loading or unloading it at a port.

The Saudi oil giant is offering Arab Medium and Arab Heavy crude for September loading through the arrangements, the sources said. The move mirrors a strategy recently adopted by Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. (ADNOC) to maintain crude exports to international buyers despite disruptions affecting key regional shipping routes.

It was not immediately clear how Aramco transported the crude cargoes to Fujairah for the STS transfers.

The latest offers highlight efforts by Gulf oil producers to reroute supplies and preserve access to Asian markets amid prolonged disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.

Aramco has also redirected Arab Light crude to Yanbu on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast for export since the conflict involving Iran began. The company has additionally offered Arab Light cargoes from Egypt’s Mediterranean port of Sidi Kerir following attacks on shipping in the Red Sea by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group.

Disruptions to crude shipments through both the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea have affected Aramco’s ability to supply some major consuming markets, including India, putting pressure on its market share in key Asian destinations.

The developments come as regional oil producers continue to explore alternative export routes and shipping arrangements to mitigate the impact of disruptions along major energy trade corridors.