Six Saudi tankers reroute from Gulf of Aden amid Houthi threats

Six Saudi-flagged supertankers have altered their course in the Gulf of Aden in recent days, heading towards southern Africa to avoid potential threats from Yemen's Houthi movement. The tankers, which were empty of cargo after returning from destinations in Asia, were sailing in formation towards southern Africa rather than transiting the southern Red Sea via the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint, according to ship-tracking data.

At least seven oil tankers have made U-turns close to Yemen since the Iran-linked Houthi group announced a "maritime embargo" against Saudi Arabia. All of the ships were travelling either to or from Saudi ports and made sharp changes of course after the embargo was announced. The EU's naval force in the region Aspides recommended on Wednesday that "merchant vessels linked to Israeli, US or Saudi interests avoid transiting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden until the threat level decreases."

The Houthis have stated their embargo is in retaliation to a Saudi blockade of ports and airports in Houthi-controlled north-western Yemen. Saudi Arabia has condemned this allegation and vowed to "take all necessary measures to protect its ships in accordance with international law."

Nearly 15% of global sea trade moves through the Red Sea, connecting the Mediterranean and Gulf of Aden through the Suez Canal and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The Red Sea has become a key route for Saudi oil exports.