On July 27, 2026, a supertanker transporting Saudi oil chose to bypass the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and took the longer Suez Canal route due to increased threats from Houthi rebels in the region. The Greek-owned Olympic Luck entered the Mediterranean Sea partially loaded with crude and is now en route to Asia. It’s likely the first supertanker to adopt this costlier path after the Houthis declared a blockade and attacked nearby vessels.
The decision for Olympic Luck to take the longer route may be influenced by its Western ownership or a more conservative buyer in Asia. Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) like this one cannot transit the Suez Canal fully laden because of their draft. Thus, the tanker had to offload a significant portion of its cargo at Ain Sukhna before continuing.
Following Olympic Luck, another tanker, the DHT Gazelle, has begun its journey through the Suez Canal. Currently idling at the canal’s entrance, it is expected to reach a refinery in the Philippines. Meanwhile, activity through the Strait of Hormuz has been minimal, reflecting ongoing tensions in the region, particularly after a recent pause in hostilities between the US and Iran.
Share it now
