Asian Oil Tankers Avoid Red Sea, Delivering Crude a Month Late

Asian refiners face a one-month delay in crude deliveries as oil tankers abandon the Bab al-Mandab strait due to Houthi attacks. The route, a critical chokepoint connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, has become too dangerous for commercial vessels. Without safe passage, tankers are taking longer alternative routes around Africa. This adds weeks to shipping times and disrupts the steady flow of oil to refineries in Asia. The delays are already forcing buyers to wait longer for their shipments, straining supply chains. The threat specifically targets Saudi Arabia’s oil lifeline. While the kingdom exports most of its crude through the Persian Gulf, a significant portion still passes through Bab al-Mandab. If the attacks continue, Asian refineries may struggle to secure enough crude, potentially raising fuel costs worldwide.