Oil Tanker Attacked, Houthi Warnings Impact Red Sea Shipping
4 days ago
At a glance
- Two Saudi oil tankers rerouted from the Red Sea to the Suez Canal after Houthi warnings.
- Yemen's Houthi group declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia.
- An oil tanker was previously attacked south of the Strait of Hormuz.
Story so far
An oil tanker was attacked south of the Strait of Hormuz, with its crew transferring to lifeboats. The British Maritime Agency confirmed a missile hit an oil-carrying vessel in the area. This incident occurred after Iran's Revolutionary Guard announced two oil tankers caught fire while attempting to pass through a restricted route south of the Strait of Hormuz. Separately, Yemen's Houthi group issued warnings to Saudi oil tankers, compelling them to reverse course from the Red Sea. The Houthis have also reportedly closed the Bab al-Mandab strait and declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, leading to two Saudi tankers rerouting to the Suez Canal. Pakistan is actively pursuing diplomatic solutions, urging for a ceasefire between the United States and Iran amidst heightened regional tensions.
Latest development
Two Saudi oil tankers, the Xin Long Yang and the Rodos, rerouted from the Red Sea to the Suez Canal on Tuesday following warnings from Yemen's Houthi militia. The Houthis had declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia on Monday, threatening to target vessels using Saudi ports.
Latest updates
Two oil tankers, the Xin Long Yang and the Rodos, carrying Saudi crude destined for China and India, made U-turns in the Red Sea on Tuesday. Following warnings from Yemen's Houthi militia, the vessels rerouted towards the Suez Canal instead of proceeding past the Yemeni coast. This development comes after the Houthis declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia on Monday, warning shipping companies against loading or discharging cargo at Saudi ports, with threats of targeting. Consequently, war risk insurance costs for Saudi ports have reportedly increased.
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