Asian oil companies are rerouting tankers from Saudi Arabia's Red Sea port of Yanbu, avoiding the Bab el-Mandeb strait by taking the Suez Canal and a route around Africa, adding roughly four weeks to transit time and raising shipping costs, according to a report.
Asian oil companies are rerouting oil tankers from the Saudi Red Sea port of Yanbu, opting to sail north through the Suez Canal and around Africa rather than take the southern route via the Bab el-Mandeb strait, according to a report published Tuesday evening. The detour adds approximately four weeks to transit time and raises shipping costs to Asia.
The move follows a series of developments reported by The Zioneer on Monday evening. The Houthi movement declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia and sent email warnings to shipping companies. Multiple reports followed of oil tankers turning back in the Red Sea, and by Monday evening, Saudi vessels were reportedly avoiding the Bab el-Mandeb strait entirely. The initial reports were based on a single source, but subsequent accounts from Reuters and other outlets corroborated the trend.
The Zioneer has previously reported on Houthi threats to close the Bab el-Mandeb strait and on a missile attack targeting Yanbu port itself. The broader context includes Iranian backing for the Houthis and threats to also close the Strait of Hormuz.
It remains unclear how many tankers are being rerouted from Yanbu and whether the shift will become permanent. The longer transit times could affect global oil supply chains and energy prices.
11 developments
- DevelopingSix Saudi oil tankers reroute via southern Africa amid Houthi threats, N12 reports
- StrongInternational Chamber of Shipping: 9 ships divert from Bab el-Mandeb after Houthi warnings
- DevelopingTwo Saudi oil tankers cross Bab el-Mandeb strait despite Houthi blockade, Reuters reports
- DevelopingHouthi military spokesman claims eight Saudi oil tankers rerouted due to naval blockade
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