A Saudi Arabia-flagged VLCC, Amzan, was struck while sailing about 63 nautical miles west of Yanbu in the northern Red Sea on 24 August. No crew injuries were reported, although the vessel reported a fire on its main deck after the incident.
The 320,926-dwt crude oil tanker was built in 2014. Security firm Ambrey said the Egyptian Navy responded to calls from the vessel following the strike.
The Houthis claimed responsibility and said a ballistic missile had targeted Amzan as part of a naval blockade. The group also reported attacks against a Saudi military convoy and a base, claiming that missiles and drones destroyed 10 trucks carrying weapons from Saudi Arabia.
The incident comes as Yanbu is being used to supplement Saudi crude export capacity amid disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. Reports indicated that Saudi Arabia was exporting four million barrels per day from Yanbu before the Houthis began targeting Saudi tankers.
Houthi attacks expanded into the northern Red Sea in August. Lloyd’s List intelligence estimates that crude exports from Yanbu have fallen by at least one-third since the attacks in the area began.
Reports last week said Saudi Arabia had established a shuttle operation to move crude to Egypt, where pipelines were transporting the oil to the Mediterranean. Estimated exports through that arrangement were around one million barrels per day.
Tankers have also been sailing north toward the Suez Canal. Larger vessels must discharge part of their cargo before transiting the canal, while the longer voyage is increasing shipping costs and causing delays.
The attacks on Saudi Arabia appear to form part of a Houthi effort to bring the country back into negotiations aimed at resolving Yemen’s prolonged civil conflict. The source also reported that the Houthis appear to be seeking better financial terms.
