LONDON, U.K.: Middle East oil exports fell in October from their highest levels since the Iran war began as mounting risks around the Strait of Hormuz complicated shipping and made tanker movements increasingly difficult to track, data from two ship-tracking companies showed.

Exports of crude, condensate and refined products, excluding LPG, averaged 17.1 million barrels per day in October, according to Vortexa, down from 18.9 million bpd in September.

Despite the decline, October exports were still roughly three-quarters of pre-war levels.

"October data shows Middle East seaborne oil exports have pulled back slightly from recent post-war highs on heightened risks in the Strait of Hormuz," Vortexa analyst George Morris said.

Attacks on shipping around the Strait of Hormuz intensified and reached a record in October. Tankers have increasingly taken steps to avoid detection, making Middle East oil flows more difficult to track.

Vortexa said its October figure was more likely to be revised upward than downward because many shuttle tankers passing through the Strait switch off their tracking signals as a safety measure. Satellite imagery is then often needed to confirm shipments, creating a reporting delay.

Kpler data also showed a decline, with crude and condensate shipments falling by about one million bpd from September. It also said the October figure was likely to be revised upward.

Vortexa sharply revised its September estimate higher from the figure it provided to Reuters in early October as more information about tanker movements became available.

Crude and condensate exports averaged 14 million bpd in October, equivalent to about 86 percent of pre-war levels, according to Vortexa.

Refined-product exports have recovered more slowly, averaging 3.1 million bpd, or just over half of normal volumes.

Saudi Arabia's exports were steady compared with September, while the United Arab Emirates recorded the largest decline, Vortexa said. Iraq, Oman and Kuwait also exported less during the month.

Kpler estimated crude and condensate flows through the Strait of Hormuz, Red Sea and Gulf of Oman at about 16.1 million bpd in October, down from 17.09 million bpd in September.

Both companies' figures exclude Iran, which is not exporting due to the U.S. blockade.