Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Monday, August 3, 2026
From the Liveblog of
Monday, August 3, 2026
Saudi tankers appear to be sailing around African continent rather than using Houthi-threatened strait, data shows
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleSix Saudi-flagged supertankers have changed course in the Gulf of Aden in recent days and are heading to southern Africa amid threats by Yemen’s Houthi movement to target Saudi shipping, ship-tracking data shows.
The tankers, which are empty of cargo after returning from destinations in Asia, are sailing in formation towards southern Africa, rather than opting to transit the southern Red Sea via the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint, according to AIS ship-tracking on LSEG and MarineTraffic.
This signals they are likely sailing around the entire African continent rather than using the significantly faster Red Sea-Suez Canal route.
Saudi officials do not respond immediately to a request for comment.
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