JakartaHerald.com - According to data from ship tracking, two tanker ships that deviated from the Red Sea have successfully reversed course and passed through the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
This encouraging development occurred nearly a week after the United States and the United Kingdom launched attacks on Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The two Aframax tankers that made it safely across the Bab al-Mandab were the Gamsunoro, flying the Indonesian flag, and the Free Spirit, flying the flag of the Marshall Islands, on January 17th.
The data reveals that both tankers were carrying heavy fuel and had last stopped in Fujairah, a major oil fuel hub in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Reuters reports that both ships have been observed sending signals to the Red Sea port over the past week.
Furthermore, Amin Nasser, the CEO of Saudi Aramco, the prominent oil company, has stated that his vessels can also navigate the Bab al-Mandab thanks to an oil pipeline connecting Saudi Arabia's eastern facilities to its western coast.
As a result of the warning issued by the US-led Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) based in Bahrain, urging ships to avoid the Bab al-Mandab Strait for several days starting last Friday, at least 22 other oil tankers have been redirected or halted.
Fifteen oil tankers have chosen longer routes around the Cape of Good Hope from both directions, which can add up to three weeks to their journey between Asia and Europe. Meanwhile, seven other ships remain in the Gulf of Aden or the northern part of the Red Sea.
Mary Melton, an analyst from Vortexa, a data analysis company, indicated that the amount of oil-carrying tanker traffic passing through Bab al-Mandab was significantly lower, 58% to be precise, compared to the average for the same period in 2023, between January 13th and 17th, 2024.
She added that tankers transporting fuels such as diesel and jet fuel were more severely impacted than those carrying residual fuels.
The data underscores the significant impact that recent events have had on shipping routes and the flow of oil tankers.
The successful passage of the two tankers through the Bab al-Mandab Strait highlights the challenges faced by maritime security forces in managing and securing this crucial transit point.
The ripple effects of these developments are likely to be felt in global energy markets and may lead to adjustments in trade routes and shipping strategies to mitigate potential risks.
This situation underscores the critical importance of maintaining security and stability in key maritime chokepoints like the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Any disruption or escalation of tensions in these areas can have far-reaching consequences for global trade, energy supplies, and geopolitical dynamics. It is imperative for international stakeholders to collaborate in ensuring the safe passage of ships and the uninterrupted flow of goods across these critical maritime routes.
In conclusion, the successful return journey of the two tanker ships through the Bab al-Mandab Strait highlights the complex dynamics at play in the region.
The data provided by ship tracking and analysis companies shines a light on the impact of recent events on shipping routes and tanker traffic. It emphasizes the need for robust cooperation and security measures to safeguard maritime trade and ensure the stability of critical transit points.
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