Yemen’s Houthi movement has claimed responsibility for an attack on two Saudi-flagged oil tankers in the Red Sea, according to Ship & Bunker.
Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree said in a social media post that the vessels, identified as Encelia and Layla, were struck on Wednesday. Saree stated that the tankers were targeted using a combination of ballistic and cruise missiles along with drones, as reported by Ship & Bunker.
Blockade Claim Adds to Regional Tension
The reported strike follows the Houthis’ announcement, two days earlier, of a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia. According to Ship & Bunker, this development compounds existing uncertainty for vessels already navigating heightened risks around the Strait of Hormuz.
Ship & Bunker also notes that Saudi Arabia has been routing a significant share of its crude oil exports through the port of Yanbu since the Iran war began in late February, a shift that has made the security of Red Sea shipping lanes increasingly critical for the kingdom’s export operations.
UKMTO Reports Separate Projectile Strike
Separately, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency reported that a tanker was hit by an unknown projectile at approximately 20:00 UTC on Wednesday, according to Ship & Bunker. The incident reportedly occurred around 70 nautical miles southwest of Al Shuqaiq, Saudi Arabia. It remains unclear from available reporting whether this UKMTO-reported incident is directly connected to the Houthi-claimed attack on the Encelia and Layla.
Does This Matter to You?
Continued attacks on tankers in the Red Sea, combined with a declared blockade against Saudi Arabia, may have implications for vessels transiting the region, including those involved in crude oil movements and bunkering operations tied to Saudi export routes such as Yanbu. Rising tension in this corridor, layered on top of existing risks around the Strait of Hormuz, could affect voyage planning, insurance considerations, and risk assessments for operators and charterers with exposure to Red Sea or Gulf routes.
The direct operational and commercial impact of this specific incident, including any effect on bunker fuel supply chains or freight rates, is not yet clear from the available source material.
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: Ship & Bunker
