SINGAPORE (Reuters) — Saudi Aramco resumed oil loading from inside the Strait of Hormuz last week and has more tankers waiting to load as the state energy giant offers spot heavy crude cargoes, according to shipping data and trade sources.

On Monday, the world’s top oil exporter offered some Asian refiners Arab Medium and Arab Heavy crude cargoes for loading via ship-to-ship transfers off Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates this month.

It had halted sales for weeks following attacks on its tanker fleet in the Strait of Hormuz during an escalation of the US-Iran conflict last month.

The resumption of Saudi exports could help ease the tight supply of heavier grades that produce more residue fuel. The material can be used to refuel ships, or processed further at refineries to yield higher-quality fuels such as gasoline and diesel.

Three very large crude carriers (VLCCs) — Malaysia Prosperity, Algeria Prosperity and Singapore Prosperity — loaded 2 million barrels of crude each from the Juaymah and Ras Tanura terminals from August 12 to 16.

Data from shiptrackers Vortexa and Kpler showed a gap of three weeks since the last loading at the ports. It was not immediately clear which grades the tankers were carrying.

Saudi........

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