Saudi Oil Evades Houthi Attacks with New Northern Route

Shuttle tankers have been transporting Saudi oil to Asia via a safer northern Red Sea route, evading Houthi attacks in the south. This new route has increased exports of Saudi crude by about a third since July 20, 2026, to around 1.1 million barrels per day.

The route involves loading oil at Yanbu and discharging it at Ain Sukhna, where it's piped north to Sidi Kerir in the Mediterranean Sea. This method allows Saudi Aramco's customers to receive crude oil without having to take on the risk of Houthi attacks.

Four tankers have completed the trip from Yanbu to Ain Sukhna twice or more, carrying around 16 million barrels of crude. While this route is safer, it adds operational costs due to increased fuel consumption and longer travel times.