Six Saudi crude tankers divert around Africa after Houthi attacks disrupt Red Sea shipping routes, raising concerns over supply delays.
Six empty Saudi oil tankers have altered course from the Red Sea’s Bab el-Mandeb strait, opting to sail around Africa instead. The rerouting follows heightened Houthi threats and recent attacks on vessels in the region, prompting Saudi Arabia to avoid the critical chokepoint for crude exports to Egypt.
The tankers, typically bound for Red Sea destinations, are now signaling ports in Gibraltar or South Africa, including Durban and Algoa Bay. This marks a rare deviation for Middle East crude shipments, which usually transit the Suez Canal for European and Asian markets.
The move underscores escalating risks to global oil flows, though immediate supply disruptions remain limited. Market focus shifts to potential delays and higher freight costs if rerouting persists.