Six Saudi Supertankers Diverted Amid Yemen Blockade

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, shipping tracker data released on Monday revealed that six supertankers flying the Saudi Arabian flag have changed course in the Gulf of Aden in recent days, heading towards Southern Africa. Instead of proceeding through the southern Red Sea via the Bab el-Mandeb Strait after returning from Asian destinations empty, these tankers were systematically rerouted toward Southern Africa, according to ship-tracking data. The destination for one of these tankers was identified as Delek, Gibraltar. Two commercial sources, based on their assessments, stated that these tankers, each capable of carrying up to two million barrels of crude oil, decided to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope due to the security situation. Reuters calculations indicate that if they were to return to Saudi Arabian Red Sea ports via the Suez Canal, their journey would add at least 25 days to their voyage time. Ansarallah of Yemen declared a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia on July 20, emphasizing that this blockade is in retaliation for Saudi Arabia’s blockade of Yemen.