Saudi Tankers Divert from Gulf of Aden Amid Yemen Threats

Six Saudi-flagged supertankers have altered their course in the Gulf of Aden, opting to sail to southern Africa instead of passing through the Bab el Mandeb chokepoint. According to ship-tracking data, the vessels were empty after returning from destinations in Asia and had been sailing in formation towards southern Africa.

The decision was made following threats by Yemen's Ansar Allah movement to target Saudi shipping. The group declared a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia on July 20, opening a new front in the Iran war. As a result, London's marine insurance market widened its 'high risk' zone in the Red Sea last week, adding waters close to more Saudi Arabian ports.

The tankers, each capable of carrying two million barrels of crude oil, will add at least 25 additional days of sailing time if they opt to cross the Suez back to Saudi ports in the Red Sea. Their journeys were assessed by trade sources as a precautionary measure due to the security situation.