Houthis Threaten to Target Vessels Calling at Saudi Ports, Escalating Supply Chain Risks

Source: Container News

Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen have sent emails to a number of international shipping lines, warning carriers not to conduct cargo loading or unloading operations at Saudi Arabian ports if they wish to avoid becoming targets of attack.

The warning comes just days after the Houthis announced a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia earlier this week, raising concerns that the conflict in the Middle East could widen further and place additional pressure on global energy supply chains and international trade.

Houthis Issue Direct Warning to Shipping Lines

In an email dated 20 July, received by several shipping lines, the Houthis stated: "Vessels are banned from loading or discharging cargo at or from any Saudi ports."

The message also urged carriers: "We strongly recommend that your company exercise due diligence and the utmost care in all its dealings."

According to the notice, the new directive officially took effect at 12:01 GMT on Monday.

The email was issued by the Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC) in Sana'a and warned: "Any such activity would expose the violating vessels to sanctions."

It further emphasized: "IFurthermore, they may be subject to targeting in any location within the operational reach of the Yemeni Armed Forces."

If the southern gateway to the Red Sea remains effectively blocked, Saudi Arabia would lose a key alternative maritime route connecting to the Strait of Hormuz. This could significantly increase the risk of disruptions to global energy supplies.

In fact, shipping traffic through the Red Sea has yet to fully recover since the Houthis began attacking commercial vessels off the coast of Yemen in November 2023.

The HOCC also served as the communication channel for issuing maritime advisories during the Houthis' campaign against commercial shipping between 2023 and 2025, before the attacks subsided following the Gaza ceasefire in October last year.

A source from a shipping line that received the email commented: "We believe (the email) acts as a reminder of their presence in the area."

Saudi Arabia Strengthens Defensive Measures

In response to the heightened security threat, Reuters cited industry sources saying that several Saudi-operated oil tankers have begun implementing defensive measures, including switching off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders to reduce the risk of being tracked.

Saudi Aramco has declined to comment on the reports.

Meanwhile, the Saudi government rejected Houthi allegations that it was imposing a blockade on Yemen and reaffirmed that it would take "all necessary measures" to protect vessels operating under its jurisdiction.

Oil Tankers Begin Altering Their Routes

The Houthi warning has already begun affecting commercial shipping operations.

On Tuesday, two Saudi crude oil tankers bound for China and India were forced to reverse course in the Red Sea. Instead of continuing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait into the Gulf of Aden, both vessels turned back toward the Suez Canal.

According to UK-based maritime risk management firm Vanguard: "The developments represent the first confirmed changes to commercial tanker routing following the (Houthi) embargo and are likely to increase disruption to Saudi crude exports and regional shipping patterns."

Since the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran escalated on 28 February, Saudi Aramco has increased its use of Yanbu Port on the Red Sea to maintain crude oil export operations.

Maritime sources said that, as of Tuesday, Yanbu Port continued to handle cargo operations normally for vessels already in the Red Sea or those entering the region via the Suez Canal.

In an advisory issued the same day, the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), coordinated by the U.S. Navy, reported that no new attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea had been recorded over the previous 48 hours.

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Source: Phaata.com (According to Reuters)

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