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Bahri Reroutes Six Supertankers via Cape, Adds 25 Days

8/4/2026

33 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Bahri rerouted six supertankers, each holding two million barrels, from the Gulf of Aden to the Cape of Good Hope after Houthi threats.
The Cape of Good Hope route adds 25 days versus a Suez Canal crossing back to Saudi ports.
Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree said on X that eight Saudi tankers were forced to reroute after July 20 maritime embargo, as insurers widened the Red Sea zone near Saudi ports.

History

Historical Context

During the 1988 Iran-Iraq war, Iranian and Iraqi attacks on merchant vessels led the United States Navy to escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. That July, Iran Air Flight 655 was shot down, killing 290 people and highlighting the peril to civilian traffic. Today, Houthi strikes force Bahri to divert supertankers around the Cape of Good Hope, repeating the pattern of conflict-driven longer oil routes.

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Story summary

Bahri rerouted six supertankers, each holding two million barrels, from the Gulf of Aden to the Cape of Good Hope after Houthi threats.
The Cape of Good Hope route adds 25 days versus a Suez Canal crossing back to Saudi ports.
Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree said on X that eight Saudi tankers were forced to reroute after July 20 maritime embargo, as insurers widened the Red Sea zone near Saudi ports.

1 / 2