Amidst increasing war tension in the Middle East global oil supply But another big danger is looming. Earlier the closure of the Strait of Hormuz had increased the pressure on the world’s oil supply, and now Yemen’s Houthi rebels have warned that they may also target the Bab el‑Mandeb Strait. If this happens, it could simultaneously affect the world’s two most important marine oil supply lines.
Actually, Saudi Arabia has Strait of Hormuz After the closure, the route of its oil export has changed. Now it is trying to send oil through the Red Sea, but ships going through this route also have to pass through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which is one of the world’s busiest sea routes located between Yemen and the Horn of Africa region.
Meanwhile, Abdul Malik al‑Houthi, leader of Yemen’s Houthi movement, has indicated that if the war escalates further or Saudi Arabia gets directly involved in it, then his fighters may target this sea route. He said that if needed, their military action can start immediately.
Special features of Bab el-Mandeb
- Experts believe that if there is an attack or blockage in Bab el-Mandeb, it will have a major impact on the global oil market.
- This route is an important link for ships going to Suez Canal and a large part of the trade between Asia, Europe and Africa passes through this route.
- Meanwhile, to maintain oil supply, Saudi Aramco has started sending oil from the Gulf to Yanbu port of the Red Sea through its East-West pipeline.
- This pipeline is about 1200 kilometers long and was specially built so that the Hormuz Strait could be bypassed if needed.
- However, experts say that even this solution is not completely safe, because ships going to Asia ultimately have to pass through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
- About 75% of the world’s Saudi oil exports go to Asia, especially China, India, Japan and South Korea.
- In view of the increasing danger, many shipping companies have also become alert. Denmark’s large shipping company Maersk has currently stopped sending ships on some Red Sea routes due to security reasons.
- Experts are warning that if Bab el-Mandeb also closes after Hormuz, the world may have to face a major energy crisis.
- Some analysts say that such a situation could create a bigger global energy problem than the 1973 oil crisis.
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