The security outlook for commercial shipping in the Middle East is worsening as escalating Houthi threats force shipowners to rethink voyage plans and prompt European naval authorities to issue stronger warnings for vessels operating in the Red Sea.
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The latest concerns emerged after Iran-backed Houthi rebels warned ships against calling at Saudi ports, triggering unusual routing decisions by several tankers and cargo vessels while raising fears of fresh disruptions to global energy supplies.
The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES) has upgraded its threat assessment for the Red Sea from low to medium, advising merchant ships linked to Israeli, U.S., or Saudi interests to avoid transiting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden until security conditions improve.
The warning comes as tensions between the United States and Iran continue to intensify, with military exchanges entering another week and increasing uncertainty across key global shipping lanes.
The Red Sea has become increasingly important for oil exports after Saudi Arabia redirected significant volumes of crude through its Red Sea terminals to bypass disruptions in the Persian Gulf. Any threat to traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait now raises concerns that another major energy corridor could come under pressure.
Maritime tracking data shows several vessels are already adjusting their routes.
The liquefied petroleum gas carrier Gas King, which loaded cargo at Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port and is reportedly bound for Japan, reversed course and began sailing north toward the Suez Canal instead of heading south through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Another vessel, the Greek-owned crude tanker Amazon, also altered its voyage after departing Yanbu with more than one million barrels of crude oil. The tanker, originally destined for India, is now heading toward the Suez Canal.
Such route changes are highly unusual for ships traveling from the Red Sea to Asia because they significantly extend voyage times, increase fuel consumption, and require payment of additional Suez Canal transit fees.
Other vessels have also slowed operations. The supertanker New Explorer, carrying Saudi crude for Singapore, has been observed idling in the Red Sea after departing Yanbu, while the Aframax tanker Lahore also paused shortly after loading Saudi cargo.
Earlier this week, several tankers either stopped or reversed course after some shipowners reportedly received warnings from the Houthi movement cautioning against calling at Saudi ports. However, not every vessel has altered its plans, with at least one tanker later resuming its original voyage toward the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) warned that Houthi forces remain positioned near the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint and retain the capability to target commercial vessels operating in the area.
Despite the growing security concerns, oil exports from Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea facilities continue. Tanker tracking data indicates loading operations remain active at Yanbu, where crude transported through the kingdom’s East-West Pipeline is transferred onto export tankers.
Saudi Arabia has relied heavily on its Red Sea export infrastructure in recent weeks, shipping record crude volumes through Yanbu as it sought to maintain exports despite ongoing instability elsewhere in the region.
With the Red Sea now facing heightened security risks alongside continued uncertainty in the Strait of Hormuz, the global shipping industry is confronting the possibility of simultaneous disruptions across two of the world’s most strategically important maritime trade corridors, adding further pressure to freight markets, energy supply chains, and international commerce.
