12 Saudi-flagged tankers reroute, avoid sailing through Bab el-Mandeb: Windward

SANAA, Aug. 14 (YPA) – Windward, a company specializing in maritime intelligence, has revealed that 12 Saudi-flagged tankers and bulk carriers have avoided sailing through the Bab el-Mandeb route and are currently diverting around the Cape of Good Hope, indicating growing risks facing maritime traffic involving Saudi vessels.

In a statement, the company said several Saudi vessels changed their declared destinations more than once over the past two weeks, while some vessels did not disclose their final destinations until after passing the coast of South Africa. The behavior reflects uncertainty over which routes are considered safe.

According to Windward, the decision by a shipping company to reroute its fleet away from a maritime chokepoint while keeping final destinations unclear signals the risks associated with the maritime ban imposed on Saudi-linked shipping.

It is also forcing vessels to take longer and more costly routes to avoid passing through the Bab el-Mandeb, which Sanaa said Saudi vessels are prohibited from using under its maritime ban on Saudi shipping as part of its blockade for blockade policy.

AA