Ships continue Red Sea transit despite attacks and Houthi blockade: Report
However, the report highlighted that conflict and increasing uncertainty around maritime security are forcing many ships to change course and make U-turns before completing their journeys.
Last week, Houthi rebels, who are in de facto control of Yemen, targeted at least three oil tankers, with the latest attack taking place on Friday.
Also Read: New threat from Yemen’s Houthis could expand Iran war and risk another trading point
Any sustained disruption in the Red Sea threatens to deal a fresh blow to global trade, which is already reeling under the pressure of the growing Middle East conflict.
The war between the United States and Iran, now in its fifth month, has severely restricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime corridor that previously carried about a fifth of global oil supplies.
In response to the hostilities, Saudi Arabia is redirecting millions of barrels of crude oil each day through an onshore pipeline connecting the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea. A significant portion of this crude oil then exits the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a narrow choke point adjacent to Houthi-controlled territory. This alternative supply line faces increasing risk after the Houthis announced plans to target Saudi Arabia-bound shipping earlier this week.
Initial indications reflected an immediate disruption, with nearly a dozen ships either turning back or avoiding the strait altogether, according to tracking data from shipping firm Kpler.
However, Kpler data showed that even after the Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks on Saudi oil tankers, maritime activity did not slow down in the same way; 43 ships were recorded passing through Bab al-Mandeb on Thursday; This number was an increase from 35 ships the previous day.
A Saudi-linked ship was also targeted in the Red Sea on Friday; authorities confirmed minor damage and zero casualties, allowing the ship to proceed on its transit route.
The Red Sea region has consistently served as a geopolitical flashpoint. In 2024, the Houthis launched repeated attacks on Israeli-bound ships, framing the operations as a response to the conflict in Gaza.
As maritime risks increase, many shipping operators are considering northern transit options via the Suez Canal. However, the route is both longer and more expensive; Additionally, the canal itself cannot accommodate fully loaded supertankers, resulting in logistics transfers to smaller ships or pipelines, narrowing overall market capacity and increasing operating costs.
Also Read: Owner of tanker says he changed Asian journey via Suez following warnings from Houthis
Analysts estimate that around a quarter of global oil supply is currently at risk due to simultaneous disruptions in both the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.
Increasing uncertainty pushed benchmark crude oil prices higher; Brent crude oil reached its highest level in nearly two months, approaching US$100 per barrel this week.
