The Aframax Rodos, chartered by Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL), is one of two tankers carrying Saudi crude for Indian refiners that reportedly disabled their tracking systems while navigating the Bab al-Mandeb Strait following Yemen’s Houthis’ declaration of a blockade on Saudi shipments.
An official from the New Mangalore Port Authority confirmed to CNBC-TV18 that the Rodos anchored at the port around midnight on August 1. Cargo operations are set to commence on August 3.
The second vessel, Suezmax tanker Amazon, chartered by Indian Oil Corp, is carrying one million barrels of Saudi crude oil. Chennai Port Authority data indicates that Amazon is expected to arrive at the Chennai port by August 4.
The arrival of Rodos signifies the conclusion of a closely monitored journey through one of the most perilous shipping routes during a period of increased tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthis.
The situation significantly escalated on July 20th, when the Houthis declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia. In a statement, the Houthi Armed Forces announced a “maritime embargo” against the “Saudi enemy.” The group also sent a warning email to shipping firms advising against loading or unloading cargo at Saudi Ports.
The two vessels heading to India departed from Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port around July 20th. However, following the blockade announcement, they had to alter their course in the Red Sea and briefly diverted towards the Suez Canal. Yet, on July 22nd, reports indicated that the tankers turned off their Automatic Identification System transponders. Once their movements were no longer visible on public tracking systems, the vessels moved southward, navigating discreetly through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, exiting the Red Sea.
Many vessels tend to disable their transponders as a precaution when navigating the blockade, but this marks the first instance of an India-bound vessel transporting Saudi oil becoming untraceable to exit the Red Sea since the blockade was announced.
The escalating threats to vessels in the Red Sea are amidst broader conflicts between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.
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Following the announcement of the maritime blockade, the Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks on three Saudi oil tankers, asserting that the vessels “violated the blockade.”
The initial strike occurred on July 22, with the Houthis launching ballistic and cruise missiles and drones at two Saudi oil tankers that breached the blockade. The vessels were identified as ‘ENCELIA’ and ‘LAYLA,’ according to Yahya Saree, spokesperson for the Houthi Armed Forces. The Saudi Press Agency confirmed that all crew members aboard ENCELIA were safe, reporting that the attack caused a fire at the bow of the ship.
These assaults have raised suspicions regarding a new front in the US-Iran conflict and have driven crude prices to $100 a barrel, the highest level since May.
On July 28, another Saudi vessel, the 50,000 DWT NCC Ghazal, was targeted in the Red Sea. The Houthis claimed responsibility, stating the vessel “violated the maritime navigation ban.”
Attacks by the Ansar Allah group have not been limited to ships; the Houthis targeted Saudi Arabia’s energy infrastructure pipeline as well. Saree stated that the group hit ARAMCO refining facilities in Jizan and Yanbu, “using dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles and drones.” This assault marked the first direct hit on Saudi oil infrastructure since 2022, indicating a significant escalation.
The assault was preceded by reports of airstrikes in Houthi-controlled Hodeidah and Kamaran Island, which the group attributed to Saudi Arabia.
With the Strait of Hormuz already facing disruptions, the latest confrontations raise concerns over another crucial shipping chokepoint being compromised. Attacks in the Red Sea have led many vessels to retreat and reroute. According to Kpler data, the volume of Saudi-loaded crude from Yanbu has plummeted to nearly 50% of its pre-strike levels in the six days following the attacks on ENCELIA and LAYLA.
The deteriorating security landscape has also encouraged Indian refiners to rethink their procurement and transportation strategies for crude from West Asia.
In its latest tender, MRPL stated it would only purchase crude if it was transported via routes circumventing both the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz. Indian refiners have increasingly opted to procure Middle Eastern crude on a delivered basis.
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