Saudi Oil Tankers Mask Destinations to Evade Houthi Threats

In late July, the Iran-backed Houthi movement announced a blockade of Saudi ports and began attacking vessels linked to the kingdom in the Red Sea. The group has since warned that it may expand attacks to Saudi ships operating in the northern Red Sea. In response, Saudi Aramco has redirected oil cargoes toward ports farther from Yemen, notably Egypt’s Ain Sukhna and Sidi Kerir, to maintain export flows while reducing exposure to hostile fire.

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Shipping companies are reportedly signalling Egypt and the Suez Canal as destinations, even when cargoes originate from Saudi ports. Satellite-based analysts Vortexa and Kpler identified the tanker Sea Majesty sailing “dark” (with its transponder off) after likely loading at Yanbu and later listing Ain Sukhna as its destination. Similarly, the tanker Maran Thetis was observed idling in the Gulf of Aden in late July, then reappearing fully laden with a probable Yanbu origin while still indicating a route toward the Suez Canal. Additional vessels—including Front Empire and DHT Gazelle—have been reported loading inside the Red Sea while dark and re-emerging on tracking platforms before exiting through the canal.

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• Vortexa and Kpler’s satellite analysis link at least two confirmed cargoes to Yanbu despite Egyptian destination filings.

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• The practice of sailing “dark” and mis-signalling destinations has been noted across multiple tankers in the Red Sea corridor.

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The disguise strategy reflects a broader effort by the shipping industry to conceal movements as Houthi attacks increase across the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz. While Saudi Arabia has kept oil exports flowing, the reliance on Egyptian ports introduces new risk variables; the safety of Ain Sukhna and Sidi Kerir could become uncertain if Houthi operations expand further north. The trend also complicates maritime monitoring, as authorities and commercial stakeholders must rely on satellite imagery and third-party data rather than vessel-reported itineraries.

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