Cost of shipping US crude to Asia hits record USD 77 million per supertanker

The cost of shipping US crude oil to Asia aboard a supertanker has surged to a record USD 77 million, increasing delivery expenses and adding to inflationary pressures as the Iran war disrupts traditional maritime routes.

The freight cost is 737% higher than the 2025 average of USD 9.2 million, highlighting the growing expense of transporting crude amid longer voyages and tighter tanker availability.

For a cargo carrying 2 million barrels, the shipping bill amounts to an additional USD 38.50 per barrel on top of the purchase price of the oil. That means crude trading at about USD 100 per barrel could cost roughly USD 138.50 per barrel after freight, before other delivery-related expenses.

The surge comes as the conflict involving Iran has disrupted established shipping routes, complicated crude movements and increased delivery times. These disruptions have also reduced the effective availability of tankers, driving up freight rates.

Higher transportation costs are putting pressure on oil exporters, with some sellers in markets such as West Africa reportedly being forced to offer discounts at the point of export to remain competitive.

The increase in freight charges is adding another layer of cost to global oil trade, potentially feeding into energy prices, transportation expenses and broader inflation.

The rising cost of moving crude shows how geopolitical disruptions can increase the price of delivered oil even when changes in the underlying crude price do not fully reflect the additional expense of getting supplies to buyers.