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Saudi reroutes tankers around Africa to avoid Red Sea threat

The longer route adds at least two weeks for a supertanker compared with transiting Bab el-Mandeb toward the Suez Canal, according to vessel tracking data monitored by Bloomberg.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Energy

OilPrice reports that six empty Saudi oil tankers have turned away from the Red Sea chokepoint Bab el-Mandeb and headed around Africa, a departure from typical routes for crude cargoes from the Middle East.

The reroutes followed Houthi threats to Saudi shipping and attacks on tankers, prompting Saudi Arabia to change crude oil export tactics again, including directing tankers toward Egypt.

Destinations indicated by vessel tracking monitored by Bloomberg include Gibraltar and South African ports Durban or Algoa Bay, which are major refueling hubs.

OilPrice says the round-Africa trip would add at least two weeks to a supertanker journey versus moving north through Bab el-Mandeb toward the Suez Canal, amid Saudi efforts to avoid the renewed risk across regional chokepoints.

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