Six Saudi-flagged supertankers have altered their routes in the Gulf of Aden, heading towards southern Africa due to threats from Yemen’s Houthi movement against Saudi shipping. The tankers, which were returning from Asia and carrying no cargo, are sailing in formation instead of transiting the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint, as indicated by AIS ship-tracking data.
One tanker, the Dilam, is reportedly headed to Gibraltar. The Saudi operator Bahri and other officials have not commented on the situation. Trade sources suggest the vessels opted for this route due to security concerns, which will add at least 25 days to their sailing time if they choose to return to Saudi ports via the Suez Canal.
The Iran-aligned Houthis declared a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia on July 20, intensifying tensions in the region. Recent Houthi attacks on Saudi-linked vessels have led London’s marine insurance market to expand its “high risk” zone in the Red Sea, encompassing areas near additional Saudi ports.
