Korean imports from key Gulf producers are on the rise. The country is importing increasing volumes from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and even sanctions-hit Iran in early 2019 (MEES, 15 March). Korea imported a 9-month high 1.039mn b/d from Saudi Arabia in February, 245,000 b/d from the UAE, the highest since October 2017 and 452,400 b/d from Kuwait. Although volumes from Kuwait are down on month-ago levels they are above the 2018 average of 447,000 b/d. Volumes from Qatar though fell to 65,800 b/d, the lowest MEES has on record dating back to January 2008, while Korea imported a record 434,100 b/d from the US in February.