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US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: Six Saudi-flagged supertankers have altered their routes and are now sailing around southern Africa instead of passing through the Red Sea, according to ship-tracking data cited by Reuters. The diversion comes after Yemen’s Houthi movement threatened to target Saudi shipping, escalating security concerns in one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes.
The development underscores growing tensions in the Middle East and raises fresh concerns over global oil supplies and shipping costs as the Red Sea crisis intensifies.
Six Saudi Tankers Change Course Amid Houthi Threats
According to ship-tracking data from LSEG and MarineTraffic, six empty Saudi-flagged supertankers returning from Asia changed course while sailing through the Gulf of Aden.
Instead of using the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and the southern Red Sea, the vessels are now heading around the Cape of Good Hope in southern Africa—a significantly longer and more expensive route.
Why Are Saudi Oil Tankers Avoiding the Red Sea?
The diversion follows renewed threats from Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement, which recently announced a naval blockade targeting Saudi Arabia.
The Houthis have also claimed responsibility for attacks on Saudi-linked vessels, prompting commercial shipping companies to reassess the risks of sailing through the Red Sea.
The group says its actions are in response to what it describes as Saudi Arabia’s siege on areas under Houthi control.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: Which Route Are the Tankers Taking?
Rather than transiting through the Bab al-Mandeb chokepoint, the six supertankers are travelling south along Africa’s eastern coast before rounding the Cape of Good Hope.
The alternative route adds thousands of nautical miles to voyages between Asia and Europe, increasing fuel costs and delivery times.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: Red Sea Shipping Crisis Deepens
The Red Sea has witnessed repeated disruptions over the past several months due to attacks on commercial vessels.
The latest diversion highlights how shipping companies continue to avoid one of the world’s most important maritime corridors because of escalating security threats.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: Impact on Global Oil Markets
The rerouting of Saudi tankers has renewed concerns over energy supply chains and freight costs.
Analysts say prolonged disruptions in the Red Sea could tighten oil supplies, increase insurance premiums for vessels, and push global crude prices higher if shipping risks continue to rise.
Why the Bab al-Mandeb Strait Is Strategically Important
The Bab al-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and serves as a critical gateway for oil and cargo shipments between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Any disruption in this narrow waterway can have widespread implications for global trade and energy markets.
Houthi Attacks Continue to Raise Security Concerns
Commercial shipping has increasingly faced security challenges since the Houthis expanded their maritime operations.
The latest threats against Saudi shipping suggest the regional conflict could continue affecting international trade routes and tanker movements.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: What Happens Next?
Shipping companies and oil exporters are expected to closely monitor security developments before deciding whether to resume Red Sea transit or continue using the longer African route.
Much will depend on the security situation in the Gulf of Aden and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in the coming weeks.
The decision by six Saudi supertankers to reroute around southern Africa reflects the growing security risks in the Red Sea amid escalating Houthi threats. The move could increase shipping costs, delay oil deliveries, and add further pressure to global energy markets if tensions persist.