00:20A Saudi-flagged oil tanker has been hit.
00:23The Houthis have claimed responsibility, and fears are now growing that one of the world's
00:28most critical oil routes could be under serious threat.
00:32The vessel, Encelia, was struck by a projectile around 70 nautical miles southwest of Al-Shukaiq
00:39on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast.
00:42The impact triggered a fire on board, but the crew managed to bring the flames under
00:47control.
00:48Thankfully, no casualties or major environmental damage have been reported so far.
00:54But this was not just another maritime incident.
00:57The Yemeni Houthis say they deliberately targeted Saudi oil tankers using missiles and drones.
01:03They claim the strikes are part of what they call a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia.
01:09According to the group, the campaign is retaliation for years of Saudi restrictions on Yemeni ports,
01:16airports and resources.
01:18What makes this especially significant is where the tanker came from.
01:23The Encelia had departed from Yanbu, Saudi Arabia's key Red Sea oil export hub.
01:29In recent months, Saudi Arabia has relied heavily on this route after tensions around the Strait
01:35of Hormuz increased.
01:37Millions of barrels of Saudi crude now move through the Red Sea toward Asian markets.
01:42And that brings us to the bigger picture.
01:46The Bab El-Mandeb Strait is one of the world's most important maritime choke points.
01:51It connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.
01:55If attacks continue here, they threaten not just Saudi exports, but global shipping and energy
02:02supplies.
02:03The immediate impact is already visible.
02:06Several tankers have reportedly changed course.
02:09Shipping companies are becoming more cautious.
02:12Insurance and war risk premiums are rising.
02:14Brent crude has already climbed above $94 a barrel, as traders fear wider supply disruptions.
02:22The biggest concern is what happens if both major oil choke points come under pressure
02:28at the same time.
02:29The Strait of Hormuz handles more than 20 million barrels of oil every day.
02:35Bab El-Mandeb carries several more, including Saudi exports redirected through Yanbu.
02:41If both routes face prolonged disruption, global oil supplies could tighten dramatically, pushing
02:48fuel prices sharply higher.
02:50That would not only hurt Saudi Arabia.
02:53Higher oil prices would drive up inflation worldwide, increase transport and manufacturing costs,
03:00disrupt global trade, and place additional pressure on economies already facing uncertainty.
03:06Saudi Arabia and its partners have strongly condemned the attacks and pledged to secure shipping
03:12lanes.
03:13But for now, the message from the Red Sea is clear.
03:16A single strike on one tanker has become a warning that the world's energy supply chain
03:22is becoming increasingly vulnerable, and the next phase of this crisis could have consequences
03:27far beyond the Middle East.
03:29with aside that you can be identified with Canadian
03:59A new crisis is unfolding in the Red Sea, as Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis announce a naval blockade targeting Saudi
04:08-linked shipping, sending shockwaves through global energy markets.
04:12The warning has already triggered major changes in tanker routes, with several oil vessels reportedly turning around or changing course
04:21to avoid the dangerous Bab-el-Mendeb Strait, one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints connecting the Red Sea
04:30and the Gulf of Aden.
04:31According to shipping data and maritime intelligence firms, at least five tankers carrying Saudi crude have altered their journeys in
04:39recent days.
04:40One of the vessels, Xinglong Yang, a massive Costco-shipping VLCC carrying around 2 million barrels of Saudi crude destined
04:50for China, reportedly turned back after leaving Saudi Arabia's Yanbu port and headed north toward Suez Canal instead of continuing
04:58through the southern Red Sea route.
05:00Another tanker, Rodas, carrying roughly 700,000 barrels of Saudi crude bound for India, also reportedly made a U-turn
05:09in the Red Sea.
05:10Other vessels, including Amazon, Micah, and additional cargo ships, have also been reported changing routes or pausing operations amid rising
05:20security concerns.
05:21The reason behind these diversions is the Houthi warning that ships connected to Saudi ports could become targets.
05:28The group announced a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, urging shipping companies not to load or unload cargo at Saudi
05:36ports, and threatening vessels linked to Saudi trade routes.
05:40The latest move marks a major expansion of the Houthi's Red Sea campaign, which has already involved missile launches, drone
05:48attacks, and maritime operations against vessels they accuse of supporting their opponents.
05:53The timing is especially significant because tensions are already rising across the region.
05:59With concerns around the Strait of Hormuz disrupting traditional Gulf shipping routes, Saudi Arabia has increasingly relied on Red Sea
06:07ports like Yanbu to move oil exports toward international markets.
06:12But a sustained threat in the Bob Elmendev Street could create another major bottleneck for global energy supplies.
06:19Analysts warn that disruptions in this corridor could affect millions of barrels of oil shipments every day, potentially pushing up
06:27crude prices and increasing shipping costs.
06:30Brent crude prices have already reacted to growing fears, with markets watching closely for any escalation.
06:37For shipping companies, the risks are increasing.
06:40Longer alternative routes, higher insurance premiums, and delays could add millions of dollars in extra costs for each voyage.
06:48While reports differ on the exact number of affected vessels, the immediate impact is clear.
06:54The threat alone has forced major tanker operators to reconsider their routes.
06:59The Red Sea has once again become a front line in the wider regional conflict, with global trade and energy
07:06markets closely monitoring what happens next.
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