Global Oil Trade Transformed by War

Dan DeLorenzo analyzed two years of raw GPS data from every oil tanker operating globally to produce a groundbreaking investigation for Wall Street Journal revealing how the Ukraine war reshaped international oil markets. The dataset—millions of position points tracking vessel movements across every ocean—required sophisticated data processing, geospatial analysis, and animation techniques to transform raw coordinates into narrative clarity.

Before-and-after animated visualizations compared equivalent time periods, making visible the massive restructuring of global oil flows. Focused views isolated critical trade routes: trans-Atlantic shipments redirecting to new destinations, Persian Gulf traffic adjusting to sanctions and demand shifts, North Sea production finding new markets, and surging volumes to India and China as purchasing patterns transformed.

The technical challenge involved processing GPS point clouds into meaningful route visualizations while maintaining temporal accuracy—vessels needed to move at correct speeds, appear in proper sequence, and aggregate into patterns revealing systemic changes. Color coding, route thickness, and animation timing all contributed to readability without sacrificing data integrity.

The investigation demonstrated how large-scale maritime GPS analysis could reveal economic and geopolitical shifts invisible in traditional reporting. What emerged was visual proof of markets adapting in real time—tanker routes literally redrawing themselves across oceans as the war's impact rippled through global commodity flows.

Above: Before-and-after animation comparing global tanker traffic patterns; Trans-Atlantic trade route analysis showing market redirection; Persian Gulf shipping pattern shifts; Concentrated views of North Sea, India, and China traffic changes.