- KPC’s priority is to preserve long-term relationships with customers rather than focus solely on short-term transactions and prices, calls customers ‘friends in business’
The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation is expanding shipping alternatives and working closely with global customers to maintain petroleum product supplies amid disruptions to navigation in the region, Deputy Managing Director for Global Marketing Contracts Emad Al-Kandari said.
Speaking at the APPEC 2026 conference in Singapore, Al-Kandari said KPC continues to support customers despite unprecedented challenges facing shipping and trade operations, stressing that Kuwait’s commercial relationships extend beyond short-term price considerations.
He said that when security conditions permit, Kuwait sends some vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, while also offering customers alternatives such as ship-to-ship (STS) transfers outside the strait. These arrangements help maintain supplies and reduce risks associated with vessel movements through the waterway.
Al-Kandari said insurance and shipping costs have risen to unprecedented levels because of regional developments, pushing up the cost of transporting petroleum products. KPC, he added, is working with customers with maximum flexibility to address the impact.
KPC prioritizes long-term customer relationships
Al-Kandari said uncertainty was at its highest during the early months of the crisis, particularly February, March and April, when market participants had limited visibility over developments. As conditions evolved, companies began reassessing their supply options and sources.
He stressed that KPC’s priority is to preserve long-term relationships with customers rather than focus solely on short-term transactions and prices, describing customers as “friends in business” and trust as a fundamental element of commercial relationships.
Kuwait maintains an important presence in global petroleum markets and has the ability to diversify its operations and commercial relationships, Al-Kandari said, adding that KPC would continue supporting customers and maintaining supply continuity.
He said Kuwait demonstrated during the crisis its ability to respond to exceptional circumstances by working with customers, providing available alternatives and leveraging its network of partners, storage facilities, stations and logistics services.
Al-Kandari also emphasized the Gulf region’s continuing importance as a major global energy source, saying developments surrounding the Strait of Hormuz highlight the importance of energy security and the safety of international trade routes.
He concluded that stable shipping through the region would benefit not only Gulf states but also global markets, given the region’s importance to worldwide energy supplies.
KPC, he said, remains capable of meeting its customer commitments and maintaining its commercial relationships despite the exceptional circumstances.
