Five tankers rerouted in the Red Sea after Houthi militia warned against sailing to Saudi ports, raising concerns for global energy supplies.
Five tankers changed course in the Red Sea after Yemen's Houthi militia warned ships against sailing to Saudi ports, reported Reuters.
The Iran-aligned Houthis declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, raising risks to global energy supplies and trade. Ship broker Clarksons noted that the threat of hostile action was beginning to affect tanker activity, with several vessels shifting course towards the Suez Canal instead of Bab el-Mandeb.
The EU's Aspides naval force advised ships linked to Israel, the US, or Saudi Arabia to avoid the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden until the threat level decreases. Vessels that recently called at Saudi ports were urged to reduce their electronic footprint to limit targeting risks.
Ship-tracking data showed two tankers signaling open waters in the Red Sea, while a vehicle carrier, Liu Jiang Kou, turned away in the Gulf of Aden after listing Jeddah as its destination. The Philoxenia and Alexandros tankers dropped anchor near Suez after being booked to load at Yanbu.
Greece's shipping ministry separately warned its fleet of heightened risks and urged coordination with the Aspides mission. Three tankers carrying Saudi crude for China and India made U-turns in the Red Sea, heading for Suez instead of the Yemeni coast.
Brokers indicated that the embargo raises questions about eastbound routes from Yanbu, the outlet for Saudi Arabia's east-west pipeline. Re-routing via Suez adds 10,000 nautical miles and 34 days of sailing, with freight costs rising by more than US$5 million, plus fuel and insurance. Suez Canal transit adds another $1 million per vessel.
Red Sea traffic has not fully recovered since Houthi attacks began in November 2023 in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The group warned ships intending to proceed to Saudi ports that they would be open targets.
