Bab el-Mandeb Enhances Resilience of Saudi Exports

Saudi oil exports through the Bab al-Mandab Strait have returned to approximately 1.5 million barrels per day in recent days, according to shipping tracking data up to October 12, following the passage of at least six loaded tankers from the port of Yanbu. This resurgence coincided with continued crude loading from Yanbu at a rate of about 2.47 million barrels per day in early October, according to Kpler data. Shipments are distributed between Bab al-Mandab and other routes, reflecting the flexibility of Saudi Arabia’s export network and its ability to diversify market access channels. Prior to the Houthi escalation, the average volume of Saudi crude exports through Bab al-Mandab had reached around 3 million barrels per day, indicating that current flows represent a gradual return to full utilization of the southern Red Sea route. Despite the resumption of traffic, security risks remain, given potential threats from missiles and drones, which entail additional insurance and shipping costs. Consequently, the significance of Bab al-Mandab extends beyond its role as a navigational passage; it also plays a crucial part in enhancing the resilience of Gulf energy exports and reducing reliance on a single route.