Yanbu Port Berths 5 VLCCs as More Tankers Cross Bab el-Mandeb Dark
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Aug 3
Yanbu Port Berths 5 VLCCs as More Tankers Cross Bab el-Mandeb Dark
3 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Aug 3
Summary
Five very large crude carriers were berthed at Yanbu’s oil-loading terminals on Saturday, likely marking the Saudi Red Sea port’s busiest day since Houthi threats disrupted regional shipping two weeks ago.
Sentinel-2 satellite images captured the surge in activity, though the European Union satellite passes over the area only every few days, making the snapshot notable.
More tankers also transited the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint with tracking signals dark, underscoring how shippers are still moving crude through the threatened corridor.
The pickup at Yanbu suggests Saudi export flows are adapting despite the Iran-backed Houthis’ blockade on Saudi ports, which had upended Red Sea traffic.