Archive · 22 Jul 2026
Saudi Crude Tankers Reroute Amid Houthi Threats
Two big oil tankers carrying Saudi crude oil for China and India turned around in the Red Sea on Tuesday.
They were heading back to the Suez Canal instead of going near Yemen's coast.
This change happened because a group called the Houthis, who control part of Yemen, warned ships not to go near Saudi ports.
The Houthis said they might attack ships that do.
This could make it harder and more expensive to ship oil, and it might take longer to get oil to places like Asia.
Other ships are also changing their plans because of this threat.
Two Saudi crude tankers, Xin Long Yang and Rodos, made U-turns in the Red Sea heading to Suez Canal instead of exiting near Yemen due to Houthi threats.
Houthi militia declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, warning shipping companies not to load or discharge cargo at Saudi ports.
The Houthis control northern Yemen, including the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a key shipping route for Middle East oil.
War risk insurance costs have increased, and vessels calling at Saudi ports are advised to reconsider transiting the Red Sea.
Rerouting tankers through the Suez Canal instead of the Bab el-Mandeb strait could add weeks to shipments to Asia.
- Who
- Houthi militia, Saudi Arabia, global shipping companies
- What
- Rerouting of Saudi crude tankers due to Houthi threats
- When
- Tuesday
- Where
- Red Sea, Suez Canal, Bab el-Mandeb strait
- Why
- Houthi declaration of a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, posing a high risk to vessels calling at Saudi ports
Houthi Militia
Saudi Arabia and Global Shipping Industry
Naval Blockade
Houthi Militia
The Houthis have declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, warning shipping companies not to load or discharge cargo at Saudi ports, threatening to target such vessels anywhere.
Saudi Arabia and Global Shipping Industry
Saudi Arabia and global shipping companies are reconsidering transiting the Red Sea due to the high risk posed by the Houthi blockade, leading to rerouting of tankers and increased insurance costs.
- Tankers Involved
- Xin Long Yang, Rodos, New Prime
- Destination
- China, India
- Crude Load
- 2 million barrels (Xin Long Yang), 700,000 barrels (Rodos)
- Route Change
- From Red Sea to Suez Canal
- Impact on Shipping
- Increased insurance costs and potential weeks-long delays for shipments to Asia
- Houthi Control
- Northern Yemen, including the Bab el-Mandeb strait
- Alternative Route
- SUMED pipeline to the Mediterranean
- Daily Tanker Traffic
- Average of 10 crude tankers through Bab el-Mandeb
