PNN – Vessel tracking data indicates that six Saudi supertankers have altered their course in the Gulf of Aden.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network citing Reuters, tracking data from Monday revealed that six Saudi-flagged supertankers changed their routes in the Gulf of Aden in recent days and are heading toward southern Africa.
Vessel tracking data shows that these tankers—which were unladen after returning from Asian destinations—proceeded toward southern Africa instead of passing through the Bab ul-Mandeb Strait into the southern Red Sea. Tracking records indicated that the destination for one of these tankers was Algeciras, Gibraltar.
Two trade sources stated, based on their assessments, that these oil tankers—each capable of carrying up to two million barrels of crude oil—have decided to reroute via the Cape of Good Hope due to security concerns.
According to Reuters calculations, if they were to return to Saudi ports in the Red Sea via the Suez Canal, the journey would add at least 25 days to their sailing time.
On July 20, Yemen’s Ansarullah announced a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia, emphasizing that the move was in response to the Saudi blockade of Yemen.