A new study warns that rising sea levels, driven by climate change, will severely impact some of the world’s busiest oil ports. Ports in the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and other key global locations could face extensive damage from just a one-meter sea level rise, which is now considered inevitable within a century.

The study, published by the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative (ICCI), highlights the vulnerability of 13 major oil ports, including Ras Tanura and Yanbu in Saudi Arabia, Houston, and Galveston in the U.S., and key hubs in the UAE, China, Singapore, and the Netherlands. These ports are vital to global oil trade, with Ras Tanura and Yanbu alone handling 98% of Saudi oil exports.

Scientists described the situation as “ironic,” given that fossil fuel use is the main driver of the climate crisis. They argue that transitioning to renewable energy could both curb further warming and reduce the risk of sea level rise.

The analysis shows that even a modest one-meter rise could damage critical infrastructure such as jetties, refineries, and storage facilities, threatening oil exports valued at billions of dollars.