Gulf Oil Chokepoints Under Siege: Houthi Embargo Disrupts Global Energy Logistics

The global oil market is facing unprecedented disruption due to simultaneous attacks on two critical maritime corridors in the Gulf region. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Strait of Hormuz, which account for nearly one-fifth of the world's crude oil transit, have been targeted by the Houthi movement and Iranian-backed forces.

The Houthi declared a formal maritime embargo on July 20, 2026, targeting Saudi Arabian shipping. This marked a significant escalation from previous interdiction campaigns, as the Houthis claimed a missile strike on a Saudi oil tanker and demonstrated enforcement capability.

Saudi oil tankers have been navigating this treacherous terrain, with several vessels adopting 'dark navigation' protocols to evade detection by Houthi forces. The Shipping Corporation of India's VLCC Desh Vaibhav, carrying 2 million barrels of Saudi crude, transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait with its AIS transponder deactivated.

The widespread adoption of AIS deactivation across commercial operators reflects a fundamental shift in the threat assessment for Gulf region shipping. As vessel traffic data reveals, both chokepoints have been severely impacted during the period surrounding August 2026 escalation.