UAE and Swiss Oil Traders Emerge as Major Crude Suppliers to Israel
Two relatively little-known oil traders, Switzerland-based Vitol and Dubai-based Heritage Petroleum FZCO, have emerged as major suppliers of crude oil to Israel during the Gaza war, according to a report by Oil Change International and SOMO.
The companies collectively supplied about 22 million barrels of crude oil, accounting for roughly 11 percent of Israel’s total crude imports between October 2023 and June 2026. Researchers tracked shipments using Kpler and London Stock Exchange Group data, with satellite imagery used to confirm deliveries to Israel’s Ashkelon port.
The findings have raised particular questions about Turkey’s trade embargo on Israel. Most of the oil shipped by the two companies passed through the Turkish port of Ceyhan. Heritage alone chartered shipments totaling about 8.3 million barrels, all of which departed from Turkish ports despite Ankara’s May 2024 trade ban.
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said no vessel leaving Ceyhan is authorised with Israel listed as the delivery destination. However, it acknowledged that ownership of cargo can change after ships leave the terminal, potentially allowing the final destination to be altered while the oil is in transit.
Vitol shipped nearly 14 million barrels to Israel during the period studied. The company said it operates in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Vitol has also faced past controversy, including a 2007 guilty plea over payments to Iraqi officials in connection with oil contracts.
Heritage Petroleum, founded in late 2023, began shipping crude to Israel in November 2024 and rapidly became one of the country’s largest named crude-oil charterers. Researchers described the company’s ownership and operations as highly opaque. They also identified two Heritage-linked companies in Turkey, Shiptech Maritime and Limosa Trading Logistics.
The report argues that the findings raise concerns over the enforcement of Turkey’s trade restrictions and the wider role of oil traders in maintaining Israel’s fuel supply. Researchers noted that Israel relies heavily on imported crude, with refineries in Ashdod and Haifa supplying fuel to the military.
The researchers called on oil-producing countries to impose an embargo and urged Turkey to strengthen enforcement against companies facilitating shipments. They also said the UAE, UK and other countries hosting the traders have tools available to restrict the flow of oil to Israel.
