Yemen's Houthis targeted a fourth Saudi-linked tanker on Tuesday, maintaining pressure on the Red Sea oil route despite a partial recovery in traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb strait, according to maritime security firm Splash247.
Attack on NCC Ghazal
The Houthi group said it fired ballistic missiles at the 49,990 deadweight tonnage (dwt) chemical and products tanker NCC Ghazal for ignoring warnings and violating its navigation ban. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree claimed the vessel was forced to retreat. Maritime security analyst Martin Kelly told Splash247 that the NCC Ghazal was struck by anti-ship missiles in the southern Red Sea and turned back. Neither Saudi authorities nor operator Bahri had confirmed damage at the time of writing. The 2014-built tanker switched off its Automatic Identification System (AIS) on July 23 and was last publicly tracked near Yanbu. Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the master of an unidentified tanker heard an explosion near Jizan; the vessel and crew were safe with no pollution, but UKMTO did not link the incident to the NCC Ghazal.
Broader Campaign Against Saudi Shipping
This latest strike follows attacks on three other Saudi-linked vessels: Encelia, Layla, and NCC Masa. Saudi authorities confirmed that Encelia caught fire after being struck, while the Houthi claim against Layla has not been independently verified. NCC Masa sustained only superficial damage and continued its voyage. The Houthi campaign has produced a volatile traffic picture rather than a complete closure of the strait.
Traffic Volatility at Bab el-Mandeb
According to data from shipping analytics firm Kpler, just 11 vessels transited Bab el-Mandeb on Sunday, the lowest total in months. Crossings recovered to 28 on Monday and 37 on Tuesday, the highest since July 19. Tuesday's movement comprised 20 ships entering the Red Sea and 17 leaving, although no Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) or LNG carriers made the passage.
| Day | Vessel Transits at Bab el-Mandeb |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 11 |
| Monday | 28 |
| Tuesday | 37 |
Threat Level and Diplomatic Developments
The Joint Maritime Information Center has raised the threat level for the southern Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb to substantial, assessing further attacks as a strong possibility. Diplomacy is extending beyond the Strait of Hormuz; the UAE-based National newspaper reported that the United States and Iran have widened their unofficial contacts to include maritime security in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb.
For logistics operators and shippers, the immediate implication is heightened risk for tanker and product carrier movements through the Red Sea. While some traffic is rebounding, the absence of VLCCs and LNG carriers indicates that larger vessels continue to avoid the route. The substantial threat level suggests that further attacks are likely, potentially causing spot rate volatility on the Red Sea-Asia lane. Operators should review insurance coverage, reroute via the Cape of Good Hope if feasible, and monitor JMIC advisories closely.
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