Saudi Arabia Forms Eight-Nation Coalition to Secure Vital Shipping Routes

Saudi Arabia has formed an eight-nation coalition to strengthen maritime security in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, two of the world's most strategically important waterways. The new partnership brings together Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Yemen, Egypt, Sudan, Djibouti, Eritrea, and Somalia to protect international trade routes and combat piracy, illegal fishing, arms trafficking, and human smuggling.

The coalition aims to improve coordination among member states and strengthen collective maritime defence in the face of rising regional security concerns. The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden carry around 12% of global trade, including oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and container shipments between Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Recent disruptions to shipping have reduced traffic through key waterways such as the Suez Canal, which is a major source of foreign exchange earnings for Egypt. The coalition also reflects Saudi Arabia's growing investment in Red Sea infrastructure, ports, and logistics.