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Russian crude tanker expected to arrive in Japan as supply risks deepen

newsMay 4, 2026921

A Russian-flagged crude oil tanker is expected to arrive in Japan, raising supply concerns for Asian buyers as Middle East risks deepen. U.S. crude exports hit a record as tankers departed the Gulf Coast, providing an alternative source for refiners facing tighter Middle East flows. A photograph shows the tanker Ateela 2 near Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz on April 28, 2026, highlighting how key shipping lanes sit close to regional flashpoints. Sustained disruption in Middle East routes would push Japanese and other Asian buyers toward U.S. and non-Middle East crude, risking higher regional fuel costs.

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