The blockade by Yemen's Houthi rebels has had real and tangible impacts on us! On July 22, according to a report from Lianhe Zaobao, after the Houthis announced an attack on commercial vessels docked at Saudi Arabia’s ports, a super-large oil tanker originally bound for China turned around and changed course in the southern Red Sea. According to available information, this vessel, named "Xin Longyang," departed from Yanbu Port in Saudi Arabia, fully loaded with approximately 2 million barrels of crude oil en route to China. However, before entering Yemen’s territorial waters, the tanker halted its journey and ultimately altered its direction to head north.
The original route of this tanker required passage through the strategic chokepoint of the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Arabian Sea. To avoid high-risk areas, the "Xin Longyang" may have to reroute via the Suez Canal and the west coast of Africa to reach China. Under this alternative plan, the tanker would need to unload about half of its crude oil before passing through the canal, transferring it instead through the Sumed Pipeline that crosses Egypt, then reloading the cargo at Sidra Kharir port. This detour would increase the total voyage distance from the original approximately 7,000 miles to over 17,000 miles.
Clearly, from this report, it is evident that the Houthi blockade of these maritime zones has already produced concrete negative effects. There are two main consequences: first, it directly raises the overall cost of crude oil imports, significantly prolonging the turnover cycle of tankers, which will inevitably be reflected in higher crude procurement prices. Second, it introduces uncertainty into energy supply chains, affecting not only crude oil shipments but also other freight traffic transiting through the Red Sea region.
Although the Houthis are not intentionally targeting us, the impact is undeniable. In fact, we have previously made clear our position: the Red Sea is a vital international waterway; we oppose attacks on civilian merchant vessels and support the freedom of navigation under international law. However, amid escalating U.S.-Iran tensions, Iran’s primary focus remains applying pressure on the United States. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary for us to clearly convey our stance to Iran, ensuring our interests remain protected—believing that Iran will also respond to our concerns.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1871385435449356/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.