On December 23, 2025, two major export shipments from the Middle East signaled a new chapter in the region’s evolving trade landscape—one from the industrial city of Herat and another from Bahrain’s Sitra refinery. Both events, though distinct in their products and destinations, underscore a growing ambition among regional producers to diversify markets, strengthen local industries, and navigate an increasingly competitive global energy and manufacturing environment.
In the city of Herat, known for its industrious spirit in western Afghanistan, officials proudly announced the dispatch of their first shipment of locally manufactured glass bottles to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Valued at $40,000, this batch of ten containers marks the city’s inaugural foray into the regional export arena, according to a statement from Herat’s local administration cited by Atlas Press. The administration hailed this milestone as a “significant step to enhance the local and national economy.”
Local producers and industrialists in Herat were quick to express their optimism and commitment. They pledged to support the new wave of exporters, promising to “facilitate procedures and remove obstacles to encourage exports.” For Herat, whose industrial city is a key production hub in western Afghanistan, such initiatives could mean more than just a temporary economic boost—they represent a chance to create jobs and establish a stronger presence for Afghan products in international markets.
The Herat industrial city, while geographically situated in the west, maintains logistical links that could enable its products to reach Iranian markets through a network of agents. This cross-border potential adds another layer of opportunity for local businesses, especially as demand for glass bottles and related products continues to rise in the Gulf region. The local administration’s statement emphasized that “comprehensive support for industrialists, provision of necessary facilities, and the creation of a favorable climate for expanding production and exports are top priorities.”
Meanwhile, hundreds of miles away, Bahrain made waves of its own in the energy sector. For the first time in nearly two and a half years, a rare diesel shipment from the Sitra refinery—operated by Bapco Energies, Bahrain’s sole oil refiner—set sail for Australia, as reported by Attaqa. This move, confirmed by specialized ship-tracking data, reflects a strategic shift in Bahrain’s fuel export patterns and comes on the heels of a major expansion at the Sitra facility.
The shipment, loaded with approximately 400,000 barrels of diesel aboard the vessel "Torm Kirsten" between December 9 and 11, was further supplemented with an additional 140,000 barrels via ship-to-ship transfer from the tanker "Zonda." All told, this batch represents one of the farthest-reaching Bahraini diesel exports in recent years, with the vessel expected to arrive at Australia’s Kwinana port between late December and early January.
What’s driving this push into distant markets? According to Attaqa, Bahrain is keen to diversify its export destinations and bolster its presence in markets east of the Suez Canal, despite the logistical challenges and longer shipping routes involved. The shipment was chartered by the shipping arm of TotalEnergies, the French energy giant, which has played a growing role in marketing Bapco’s refined products following a cooperation agreement signed in 2024.
Looking ahead, BXT Trading—a new joint venture between Bapco and TotalEnergies—will become the primary entity overseeing fuel exports from the Sitra refinery. With its base in Dubai, BXT Trading is poised to leverage the city’s status as a regional energy trading hub, managing sales and trade activities for Bahrain’s growing portfolio of refined products.
Bahrain’s ambitions are underpinned by tangible gains in refining capacity. Since November 2025, the kingdom has ramped up its exports of both diesel and jet fuel, reaching record levels. Diesel exports alone soared to around 4 million barrels, while jet fuel exports averaged about 3 million barrels. This surge coincides with a significant upgrade at the Sitra refinery, where Bapco Energies reported an increase in output from 265,000 to approximately 380,000 barrels per day as part of an ongoing modernization and expansion project.
Projections for 2026 are equally optimistic. The Sitra refinery is expected to boost naphtha production by roughly 22,000 barrels per day, increase red diesel output by around 40,000 barrels per day, and raise jet fuel production by about 24,000 barrels per day. Full operational capacity is anticipated by the end of December or early January, further solidifying Bahrain’s role as a regional energy exporter.
Yet, as traders and analysts note, the long-term viability of Bahrain’s push into distant markets like Australia will depend on the attractiveness of price differentials. Higher shipping costs and the lengthier Asia-Pacific trade route present challenges, especially when compared to the closer markets of Northwest Europe, which have traditionally been net importers of diesel. As Attaqa puts it, “the continued flow of Bahraini exports to East of Suez markets will remain contingent on the appeal of price spreads.” Bahrain’s export strategy, therefore, remains agile—ready to seize short-term opportunities when profit margins align.
This expansion into new markets is part of a broader trend across the Middle East, where producers are increasingly seeking to capitalize on operational efficiencies, new partnerships, and shifting global demand. In Iran, for instance, the city of Dezful in Khuzestan province recently saw its own milestone: the export of 400,000 barrels of industrial juice—produced by the Babko factory—to several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Facilitated by cooperation between Babko, local authorities, and the Iranian Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Trade, this shipment highlights the region’s growing capacity to supply both industrial and consumer goods to neighboring markets.
The Dezful project, described as a promising new player in Iran’s juice industry, is expected to ramp up exports in the coming years. This development comes amid ongoing cooperation agreements between Iran and Gulf states, signed in late 2024, which aim to foster greater economic integration and mutual benefit.
For Herat, Bahrain, and Dezful alike, these recent export successes are more than isolated achievements—they represent a shift toward greater regional connectivity and economic resilience. By forging new trade routes, embracing international partnerships, and investing in production capacity, these cities and their industries are positioning themselves for a future where adaptability and cross-border collaboration are key.
As 2025 draws to a close, the stories of Herat’s glass bottles and Bahrain’s diesel—alongside Dezful’s burgeoning juice exports—offer a glimpse into a Middle East that is increasingly outward-looking, entrepreneurial, and determined to carve out a larger share of global commerce.
