Saudi Ships Reroute Around Africa as Houthi Blockade Bites

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militia said eight Saudi ships changed course around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid its blockade at Bab el-Mandeb. Maritime tracker Kpler earlier confirmed four U-turns near the Gulf of Aden and identified named tanker diversions as signs that longer voyages could tighten ship availability and raise delivered costs. The Saudi-led coalition said it had begun protection measures for commercial vessels and would respond firmly to Houthi threats. The Cape route bypasses the Red Sea and Suez Canal, adding thousands of miles, more fuel consumption and higher insurance exposure for Saudi cargoes moving toward Asian markets.