Two tankers loaded with Saudi crude have reversed course in the Red Sea, and a third vessel diverted before its scheduled call at Yanbu, after the Houthi group announced a maritime embargo warning that ships calling at Saudi ports could be targeted anywhere within their operational reach, according to Splash247.
The moves are the first publicly confirmed route changes linked to the Houthi maritime embargo, announced on Monday following the latest escalation between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, Splash247 reported. The Houthi-run Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center warned shipping companies that vessels loading or discharging at Saudi ports could be targeted.
Affected Vessels and Cargoes
Three tankers are involved in the route changes:
- Xin Long Yang: a VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier) managed by COSCO Shipping, carrying approximately 2 million barrels of crude for China. It turned north in the Red Sea towards Suez on Tuesday.
- Rodos: an aframax tanker managed by Dynacom, loaded with about 700,000 barrels of crude for India. It also turned north towards Suez on Tuesday.
- New Prime: a VLCC managed by Associated Maritime, changed course off Oman before its scheduled call at Yanbu later this week.
Route and Transit Implications
Sending Asia-bound cargoes north through the Suez Canal and then around Africa would add weeks to voyage times, Splash247 noted. Aframax tankers can transit the Suez Canal fully laden, while VLCCs must discharge part of their cargo through the Sumed pipeline before passing through the canal. This adds complexity and potential delays for the larger vessels.
Port Status and Regional Context
Yanbu continued operating normally, according to sources cited by Reuters reported by Splash247. The Red Sea port has become an increasingly important outlet for Saudi crude moved west through the kingdom's East-West Pipeline while traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains heavily disrupted. The Houthi threat extends the risk zone for vessels loading or discharging at any Saudi port.
Shipper and Operator Implications
For freight forwarders and tanker operators, the embargo immediately raises the risk profile for Saudi crude loadings. Vessel operators should assess alternative routing options, review insurance coverage, and monitor Houthi communications closely. The warning explicitly states that vessels could be targeted anywhere within the group's operational reach, meaning rerouting may not guarantee safety if the vessel's cargo origin or destination is known. The added voyage times via Suez and around Africa will increase costs and may strain available tonnage on the East-West trade lanes.
Watch List
- Further escalations between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia that could expand or contract the embargo.
- Insurance market reactions: war risk premiums for vessels calling at Saudi ports are likely to rise.
- Additional diverted ships: if more owners follow suit, crude supply chains to Asia could face significant delays.
- Suez Canal transit volumes: an increase in diverted tankers could create congestion at the canal and the Sumed pipeline.
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