Saudi Oil Tankers Change Course After Houthi Maritime Threat
Two tankers carrying Saudi crude oil have reportedly changed course in the Red Sea after the Houthis warned that vessels calling at Saudi ports could become military targets.
The VLCC Xin Long Yang, carrying around 2 million barrels of Saudi crude bound for China, reportedly made a U-turn in the southern Red Sea after departing Yanbu.
Meanwhile, the Aframax tanker Rodos, carrying approximately 700,000 barrels of crude for India, also altered its route, heading north toward the Suez Canal instead of continuing through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
The route changes came after the Houthis’ Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC) issued a warning stating that ships calling at Saudi ports could be targeted.
The developments have raised fresh concerns over global oil supply routes, as Saudi Arabia has relied on Red Sea export terminals to bypass disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. If shipping through the Bab al-Mandeb is also affected, tanker operators could face significantly longer voyages, higher insurance costs, and increased transportation expenses.