The Houthi movement has claimed a ballistic missile strike on a Saudi-flagged tanker operating on a purely domestic coastal route, far from the declared blockade zone at Bab el-Mandeb, according to Windward’s Strait of Hormuz intelligence update published August 6.
Tanker Struck Hundreds of Kilometers From Blockade Zone
According to Windward, the Houthi military spokesman claimed responsibility for a ballistic missile strike on NCC WAFA, a Saudi-flagged MR2 oil products tanker of 49,990 DWT, off the coast of Yanbu on August 5. The vessel is operated by NCC and effectively controlled by Aramco Trading.
Windward reports that regional security sources confirmed an attack took place but could not verify whether the vessel was hit or damaged. NCC WAFA had been transmitting no AIS signal since July 19 and was on a routine coastal run between Yanbu and Jizan rather than transiting the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint, according to the report.
The Houthi statement explicitly linked the strike to Saudi tankers rerouting northward to avoid Bab el-Mandeb, Windward notes. This is described as the eighth Saudi oil tanker claimed struck since the Houthi blockade began on July 22. Windward adds that the ballistic missile claim “warrants skepticism,” noting that hitting a moving vessel at that range without a terminal seeker is technically difficult and that no independent source has confirmed the weapon type used.
Other Incidents Across the Region
Windward also reports that MINOAN PIONEER, a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier struck approximately 20 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman on August 3, remained stationary and burning 48 hours later, based on satellite imagery collected August 5. The vessel’s third engineer remains missing, and no group has claimed responsibility, according to the report.
Separately, Windward states that FAIZE NOORE OLIYA, a 66-meter Indian-flagged cargo vessel, sank on August 4 after being struck by an explosives-laden boat south of Al Hudaydah, Yemen. All 14 crew members were rescued, the report notes, though no group has formally claimed the attack.
Windward also highlights that two Pakistan-flagged Aframax tankers loaded Saudi crude at Yanbu and transited Bab el-Mandeb during the active blockade window without incident, joining Chinese-affiliated vessels as flags apparently facing reduced targeting risk.
Does This Matter to You?
According to Windward’s assessment, the operational risk environment across the Strait of Hormuz, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and northern Arabian Gulf is now rated “Critical.” The report states that the Houthi targeting envelope has demonstrably extended beyond the Bab el-Mandeb blockade zone into Saudi territorial waters, meaning that route avoidance strategies previously relied upon by Saudi-linked shipping may no longer provide effective mitigation.
Windward’s report notes that diversion around the Cape of Good Hope is now described as the only remaining option for Saudi-linked tonnage seeking geographic separation from the target set. The report also observes that certain flags, including Chinese-affiliated and now Pakistani-flagged vessels, appear to be transiting the region without incident, a distinction that may be relevant for parties assessing chartering, insurance, or routing decisions in the affected corridors.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Windward
