{
  "id": 6101657,
  "title": "Why oil importers are learning to live with longer trade routes",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/why-oil-importers-are-learning-to-live-with-longer-trade-routes",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-07T05:12:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Jakarta Post",
    "slug": "the-jakarta-post",
    "url": "https://www.thejakartapost.com/opinion/2026/09/07/why-oil-importers-are-learning-to-live-with-longer-trade-routes.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Oil importers are adapting to longer, more costly trade routes as tensions in the Middle East disrupt traditional energy corridors. Japan, a major importer, has seen its crude shipments from the Middle East fall by 54 percent since February, prompting a shift towards North American supplies. This change has increased shipping costs and delivery times, but helps reduce exposure to geopolitical risks. South Korea and India have also diversified their crude origins to include the Americas and Africa. China, while relying on strategic reserves, may increase imports from alternative regions later in 2026. The US has seen record oil exports, as it caters to the global demand for alternative suppliers. Meanwhile, Brazil, Argentina, Guyana, and Russia have also seen record shipments, providing new options for major importers. These shifts towards longer routes and new suppliers offer a hedge against ongoing Middle East instability, despite the higher costs and longer delivery times.",
  "summary": "Energy trade routes that optimize distance and costs may no longer be suitable for the fractured and fractious modern world, especially for major importers.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}