CPC: Coordinating Alternative Transportation Routes; 4 Oil Tankers to Depart from Red Sea Sequentially Starting in April
Amidst rising Middle East tensions, CPC is securing alternative shipping routes to ensure energy supply stability. Four oil tankers are scheduled to depart from the Red Sea in April, carrying 8 million barrels of crude oil, to mitigate risks and alleviate domestic energy pressure.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 8, 2026 at 14:19
- 🔍 Collected: April 8, 2026 at 15:00 (41 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 12:26 (285h 26m after Collected)
The Legislative Yuan's Economic Committee invited relevant units today to provide special reports and respond to interpellations on energy supply. Legislator from the DPP, Tsai Yi-yu, pointed out that as US-Iran conflicts escalate, the Strait of Hormuz faces a risk of blockade, and Iran has also threatened to further impact shipping in the Strait of Mandeb. If both key waterways are successively blocked, it could impact Taiwan's crude oil imports, and he was concerned about whether the Ministry of Economic Affairs and CPC had conducted war-gaming for the worst-case scenario.
Fang Zhen-ren stated that CPC has made diversified contingency plans and is actively diversifying its procurement sources. Currently, it is consulting with West African oil sources and evaluating the feasibility of imports from Southeast Asia, Australia, and the United States, hoping to reduce reliance on a single region.
Legislator from the KMT, Lai Shi-ba, then inquired whether CPC had imported oil and gas through the Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict. Fang Zhen-ren responded that currently, there is no import through the Strait of Hormuz; the company primarily coordinates other transportation methods with Middle Eastern suppliers.
Fang Zhen-ren pointed out that discussions are currently underway with suppliers from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, among others, to arrange shipments through alternative pipelines and ports. For example, Saudi Arabia can transport crude oil via pipeline to the Red Sea for export, and the UAE is evaluating transshipment via pipeline to Oman for export, to avoid potentially risky shipping lanes.
Furthermore, Fang Zhen-ren stated that CPC currently has one crude oil tanker in the Persian Gulf that has completed loading, carrying approximately 2 million barrels of crude oil. Due to regional instability, it cannot depart temporarily. If it can be successfully shipped out within two weeks, it would be of great help to domestic supply. Additionally, starting in April, four oil tankers carrying a total of 8 million barrels of crude oil will be shipped out from the Red Sea, which will help alleviate domestic energy pressure.
Fang Zhen-ren stated that overall, CPC has prepared for various possible scenarios and will continue to strengthen its dispatch capabilities and procurement flexibility to cope with the uncertainties in the international energy market. (Editor: Pan Yi-ching) 1150408
Fang Zhen-ren stated that CPC has made diversified contingency plans and is actively diversifying its procurement sources. Currently, it is consulting with West African oil sources and evaluating the feasibility of imports from Southeast Asia, Australia, and the United States, hoping to reduce reliance on a single region.
Legislator from the KMT, Lai Shi-ba, then inquired whether CPC had imported oil and gas through the Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict. Fang Zhen-ren responded that currently, there is no import through the Strait of Hormuz; the company primarily coordinates other transportation methods with Middle Eastern suppliers.
Fang Zhen-ren pointed out that discussions are currently underway with suppliers from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, among others, to arrange shipments through alternative pipelines and ports. For example, Saudi Arabia can transport crude oil via pipeline to the Red Sea for export, and the UAE is evaluating transshipment via pipeline to Oman for export, to avoid potentially risky shipping lanes.
Furthermore, Fang Zhen-ren stated that CPC currently has one crude oil tanker in the Persian Gulf that has completed loading, carrying approximately 2 million barrels of crude oil. Due to regional instability, it cannot depart temporarily. If it can be successfully shipped out within two weeks, it would be of great help to domestic supply. Additionally, starting in April, four oil tankers carrying a total of 8 million barrels of crude oil will be shipped out from the Red Sea, which will help alleviate domestic energy pressure.
Fang Zhen-ren stated that overall, CPC has prepared for various possible scenarios and will continue to strengthen its dispatch capabilities and procurement flexibility to cope with the uncertainties in the international energy market. (Editor: Pan Yi-ching) 1150408