Oil and chemical tankers imports in the United Kingdom: data, top suppliers and prices
The United Kingdom imported $295.5 million of oil and chemical tankers in 2024 (220.5 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 1505% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 17% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2018, at $1.21 billion.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
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Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $295.5M | 220.5K t |
| 2023 | $18.4M | 4.7K t |
| 2022 | $162.1M | 58.1K t |
| 2021 | $135.2M | 31.1K t |
| 2020 | $146.1M | 69.9K t |
| 2019 | $812.0M | 186.9K t |
| 2018 | $1.21B | 304.7K t |
| 2017 | $1.12B | 558.5K t |
Where the United Kingdom imports oil and chemical tankers from
South Korea alone supplied 61% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea | $180.2M | 61% |
| Belgium | $85.5M | 29% |
| Denmark | $22.8M | 7.7% |
| Norway | $4.5M | 1.5% |
| Poland | $2.5M | 0.9% |
| Canada | $33K | 0% |
| Netherlands | $2K | 0% |
| Ireland | $0K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.34 per kg, 38% below the world average of $2.17, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Oil and chemical tankers exports from the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom exported $2.5 million of oil and chemical tankers in 2024 (8.9 thousand tonnes). Italy alone took 63% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Ireland grew fastest (+56% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Italy | $1.6M | 63% |
| Croatia | $290K | 12% |
| Ireland | $245K | 9.8% |
| Turkey | $234K | 9.3% |
| Ghana | $44K | 1.8% |
| Senegal | $42K | 1.7% |
| Malta | $23K | 0.9% |
| Nigeria | $19K | 0.8% |
| Hong Kong | $17K | 0.7% |
| United States | $8K | 0.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Kingdom?
The shipment records behind United Kingdom oil and chemical tankers imports (HS 8901.20): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 8901.20: Tankers.
Common questions
What is the value of oil and chemical tankers imported by the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom imported oil and chemical tankers worth $295.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 220.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 17th of 94 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports.
Which countries supply oil and chemical tankers to the United Kingdom?
South Korea was the largest supplier with 61% of the value ($180.2 million), followed by Belgium (29%) and Denmark (8%). The top three together account for 98%, out of 8 supplier countries in total. The Netherlands grew fastest among the top ten, up 91% on the year.
What is the average import price of oil and chemical tankers per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.34 per kg in 2024, 38% below the world average of $2.17 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of oil and chemical tankers to the United Kingdom changed since 2017?
Imports went from $1.12 billion in 2017 to $295.5 million in 2024, a fall of 74%. The peak was 2018 at $1.21 billion. Over 8 years the average was $486.4 million a year.
Does the United Kingdom also export oil and chemical tankers?
Yes. The United Kingdom exported $2.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Italy, Croatia and Ireland. On balance the United Kingdom is a net importer of this product, by about $293.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for oil and chemical tankers?
The HS code for oil and chemical tankers is subheading 8901.20. It sits in HS chapter 89 (ships, boats and floating structures). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8901 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Shipment-level records for the United Kingdom reach EximDataX from a direct customs feed, with company names, dates and declared values. We can show them for your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World oil and chemical tankers trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for the United Kingdom
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