Saudi tankers divert around southern Africa due to Houthi threats

August 5 ------ Six Saudi-flagged supertankers have diverted around southern Africa after Houthi threats against Saudi shipping, according to ship-tracking data.

The vessels, which were empty after completing voyages in Asia, changed course in the Gulf of Aden and avoided the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint. The tankers, each capable of carrying up to two million barrels of crude oil, are rerouting via the Cape route due to security concerns, as reported by Reuters. The diversion could add at least 25 days to voyages returning to Saudi Red Sea ports via the Suez Canal.

The move follows a July 20 declaration by Yemen’s Houthi movement of a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia. Recent attacks on Saudi-linked ships have also led London’s marine insurance market to expand its high-risk zone in the Red Sea to include waters near additional Saudi ports.

Source: safety4sea.com