China Secures Safe Passage for Tankers Through Red Sea

China has held direct talks with Yemen's Houthi movement to secure safe passage for its tankers through the southern Red Sea. The Houthis, an Iran-aligned militia, had declared a blockade on July 20, expanding attacks on tankers carrying energy and other supplies.

Beijing asked the Houthis directly to promise safe passage for its tankers, according to six sources with knowledge of the matter. China was among the first countries to contact the Houthis about transits through Bab el-Mandeb, the strait at the southern end of the Red Sea.

The Houthis have told international shipping companies in an email that vessels may be attacked if they load or discharge cargo at Saudi Arabian ports. At least four tankers have loaded crude from Saudi ports bound for China and transited Bab el-Mandeb since the Houthis announced their restrictions, according to Kpler analysis.

Chinese officials have cleared each vessel individually with the Houthis, one of the sources said. The Houthis have maintained good relations with China and there has been close coordination in the past between them, especially on oil shipments to China from Saudi Arabia.