The cargo, sold by Exxon, was loaded onto an Aframax tanker as part of a broader trend of Asian refiners tapping into expanded Canadian export capacity. Richard Ro, a senior analyst at Kpler, noted that these purchases underscore Canada’s rising influence in Asian energy markets, providing a vital alternative to traditional Gulf producers. Previously, Japan sourced over 90% of its crude from the Middle East, but recent geopolitical instability has forced a rapid search for secondary suppliers, including the United States and Russia.
Eneos Secures Rare Canadian Crude Cargo to Diversify Imports
A 750,000-barrel shipment of Canadian crude is currently en route to Japan, marking the first purchase of its kind by a Japanese refiner since 2025. The move by industry giant Eneos signals a strategic shift as Tokyo looks to reduce its heavy reliance on Middle Eastern oil supplies.
Canada’s ability to serve these markets stems from the Trans Mountain pipeline, which currently operates with a capacity of 890,000 barrels daily. The infrastructure has become a cornerstone of Pacific trade, with nearly 77% of all oil exports from Vancouver now flowing to Asia, up significantly from 51% in 2024. With demand from nations like India, Malaysia, and Singapore remaining high, Trans Mountain Corp. is already exploring plans to expand daily throughput to 1.2 million barrels.
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