The United Arab Emirates has continued exporting crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz despite heightened regional tensions and threats to shipping in the strategic waterway.

Axar.az reports, citing Reuters, that at least four tankers carrying around 6 million barrels of crude sailed from the Gulf in April with their tracking systems switched off to reduce the risk of detection and possible attack.

The shipments included approximately 4 million barrels of Upper Zakum crude and 2 million barrels of Das crude exported by Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (ADNOC).

Some cargoes were transferred ship-to-ship outside the Strait before being delivered to Southeast Asian buyers, while others were unloaded into storage facilities in Oman or transported directly to South Korean refineries.

The exports come amid ongoing tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel, which have disrupted maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints.

ADNOC intends to continue marketing crude from inside the Gulf and has informed some customers about possible ship-to-ship transfers outside the Strait to facilitate future deliveries.

ADNOC declined to comment on the reported shipments.