A new development reflecting the ongoing flow of oil supplies to Damascus was the arrival of an oil tanker carrying roughly 720,000 barrels of crude oil off the coast of Syria to support the nation’s fuel needs.

The shipment aligns with rising pressure on Syria’s energy system and heightened domestic demand for cooking gas and petroleum products, driven by a heavy reliance on imports for essential sectors like electricity, transportation, and heating, alongside declining local production.

Notably, three tankers arrived at the Banias oil terminal on February 9, 2026, delivering fuel oil, liquefied petroleum gas, and crude oil to enhance strategic reserves and stabilise the local market, as reported by a Washington-based energy platform.

Since the start of 2026, this shipment is the third to reach Syria. Approximately 2.3 million barrels of crude oil have been imported in less than 40 days, indicating a faster pace of supply efforts amid growing operational and financial difficulties.

Crude Oil Delivery Set for Syria

Track data and satellite imagery, which are monitored in real time by the specialised energy platform, show that the tanker carrying the latest shipment to Syria changed course before arriving at the Banias oil terminal.

The oil tanker Arcadia set out on an extended voyage that went through various sensitive maritime locations, according to shipping data. This involved sailing across the Atlantic, along the coast of Europe, into the Mediterranean Sea, and then eastward to the coast of Egypt. It eventually made its way to Syria after turning north into the eastern Mediterranean.

Moreover, the energy platform Kpler acquired a map depicting the voyage, which shows stops and slowdowns in certain maritime areas—a typical pattern for tankers under surveillance or subject to operational restrictions—before switching to Syrian ports as their final destination.

According to shipping data, several nations and international organisations, including the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, and New Zealand, have placed the tanker carrying the new shipment on their sanctions lists. This demonstrates how difficult it is to transport oil to Syria legally and logistically.

Meanwhile, the Banias terminal received the oil tanker Arcadia. The tanker was carrying about 720,000 barrels of crude oil while flying the Omani flag. Additionally, the fuel oil tanker Briont and the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker Gas Milano arrived. These tankers had the authorised marine unloading system installed.

Fresh Crude Shipments Bolster Syria’s Energy Supply

Technical teams commenced unloading cargoes into the Syrian Petroleum Company’s tanks, following occupational safety and environmental protocols for swift integration into the refining and distribution system.

This latest oil shipment is integral to a governmental strategy focused on minimising supply shortages and ensuring that essential goods remain available to citizens, especially amid heightened consumption in the winter months. It grants relevant authorities enhanced flexibility for managing distribution and strengthening strategic reserves.

Furthermore, Syria has secured two oil shipments in early 2026, notably the first on January 26th, which involved about 668,000 barrels of crude oil delivered from Russia via the tanker “Karma.” This shipment aims to enhance the country’s refinery stocks.

Together with tankers carrying petrol, diesel and liquefied petroleum gas, the second shipment arrived on January 27, 2026, aboard the crude oil tanker “Linx,” which carried about 138,000 metric tonnes (or one million barrels) of Russian oil.