Insurance broker Gallagher has advised shipping clients to avoid the Red Sea following a Houthi attack on a tanker it insured. The incident underscores fears of a new front opening in the Middle East conflict, impacting vital shipping lanes and contributing to oil price surges.
The attacks in the Red Sea threaten vital shipping lanes, potentially disrupting global oil supplies and contributing to price volatility. This escalation highlights the expanding conflict in the Middle East and its impact on international trade and energy markets.
Insurance giant Gallagher has warned its shipping clients to avoid the Red Sea after a tanker it insured was struck by Houthi militia. The incident, which caused a fire and forced the vessel to return to port, underscores growing fears of a new front opening in the Middle East conflict.
Gallagher, a major Lloyd's of London broker, is now advising clients against attempting any voyages through the Bab al-Mandab strait. This follows similar actions by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, which has significantly impacted oil and gas transit. The Houthis' blockade in the Red Sea means the Suez Canal is now the primary route for Iranian oil exports, affecting trade with countries like India and Pakistan.
The escalation has led to a dramatic spike in oil prices, with Brent crude rising as much as 16 percent between Monday and Thursday, peaking at $102 a barrel. James McCormick, research director at Cavendish, noted that the Houthis' move is a significant blow to Saudi Arabia's oil and gas export capacity, as the country had been rerouting oil to the Red Sea to bypass the Hormuz blockade. He added that the market is pricing in a broader logistical supply shock, keeping Brent crude vulnerable to sustained trading above $100 a barrel.