Windowward: They say maritime analysis and satellite ship-tracking and AIS data show that at least six oil tankers affiliated with Saudi Arabia — Aramco Jubail, Aramco Ras Tanura, Aldasama, Damsa, Londbridge Weizdam and Maran Canopus — instead of passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait after the Houthis’ attacks on Saudi shipping, have diverted away from the Cape of Good Hope (Cape of Good Hope).

Windowward said 22 ships affiliated with China passed through the Bab al-Mandab Strait and stopped at Saudi ports between July 20 and August 2 without any incident occurring, while four Saudi oil tankers were attacked in the same period. The company said the Chinese ships were fully transparent during their voyages, which aligns with the reported arrangements for the safe passage of certain specific vessels.

According to Windowward, the timing of this diversion has increased the duration of some voyages from about 24 days to more than 56 days and added an estimated cost of between $2 million and $2.5 million to each voyage.