Two Tankers Carrying Saudi Oil for India Exit Red Sea by Going ‘Dark’ Amid Houthi Threats: Report

New Delhi: Two tankers transporting Saudi Arabian crude oil destined for India reportedly turned off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders while transiting the Red Sea, a tactic commonly referred to as going "dark", amid escalating security concerns following threats issued by Yemen's Houthi rebels.

According to shipping data cited in media reports, the vessels altered their voyage after the Houthis warned shipping companies against loading or unloading cargo at Saudi ports. The tankers reportedly headed towards the Suez Canal instead of continuing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world's busiest maritime chokepoints.

One of the vessels, Rodos, was carrying around 700,000 barrels of Saudi crude for India, while another tanker, Amazon, was also reportedly loaded with crude destined for India. Both ships are said to have switched off their AIS transponders during the voyage, making their movements temporarily invisible on public ship-tracking platforms.

The developments follow the Houthis' declaration of what they described as a "maritime embargo" against Saudi Arabia, warning shipping operators against conducting business with Saudi ports. Although no commercial vessel has yet been reported attacked under the latest threat, several tankers have altered their routes as a precaution.

Analysts say rerouting ships through the Suez Canal instead of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait could significantly increase voyage times, insurance premiums and transportation costs. The disruption also raises concerns over global crude supplies, particularly for major Asian importers such as India and China, which rely heavily on Saudi oil.

Saudi Arabia has increasingly relied on Red Sea export terminals to bypass risks associated with the Strait of Hormuz. However, the latest Houthi threats have now placed additional pressure on this alternative route, highlighting the vulnerability of global energy supply chains amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

Energy market experts are closely monitoring the situation, warning that prolonged disruption in the Red Sea could push up global oil prices and increase shipping costs for crude imports. While Saudi oil exports continue, uncertainty over maritime security has prompted shipping companies to reassess routes and operational risks.