4 Million-Barrel Supertankers Head Toward Bab el Mandeb

Two supertankers carrying a total of 4 million barrels of crude oil loaded in Saudi Arabia are heading toward the Bab el Mandeb Strait. The transit of the vessels, each carrying approximately 2 million barrels of crude oil, is being closely monitored due to growing security risks in the region.

One of the vessels briefly changed course and waited in the Red Sea while approaching the strait. The tanker later turned south again and continued its voyage along the Yemeni coast. The second supertanker is also continuing along the same route.

Security concerns in the region have also affected maritime traffic. The number of vessels transiting the Bab el Mandeb Strait has declined noticeably in recent days, with some tankers changing course while others have remained in the Red Sea waiting for the security situation to become clearer.

As risks persist in Bab el Mandeb and transits through the Strait of Hormuz remain at low levels, crude oil exports from the Gulf to global markets are becoming increasingly difficult. Disruptions at both strategic chokepoints are posing a significant risk to the global energy supply chain.

If Bab el Mandeb becomes unavailable, tankers would have to transit through the Suez Canal, continue across the Mediterranean Sea, sail around the southern tip of Africa, and then reach Asia. This alternative route would add approximately 10,000 nautical miles and 34 days to the voyage, while the additional freight cost alone is estimated to exceed US$5 million per vessel.

Meanwhile, a large number of loaded oil and gas tankers continue to wait in the region, increasing pressure on freight rates and marine insurance costs. Analysts believe that if the supertankers pass safely through Bab el Mandeb, it could provide temporary relief to the markets. However, an attack on the vessels or a closure of the strait could trigger a new wave of increases in oil prices and shipping costs.