By the Numbers… An International Company Reveals the Scale of Paralysis that Has Struck the Saudi Oil Sector as a Result of the Yemeni Blockade

Follow-ups – Al-Khabar Al-Yemeni:

Amid the suffocating naval blockade and the “siege-for-siege” equation imposed by Sana’a forces, the maritime data company “Windward” has revealed catastrophic figures concerning the Saudi energy sector, confirming that oil operations in the Kingdom have received painful blows, leading to radical and costly changes in global export routes.

Data issued by the company showed that oil loading operations at the strategic Yanbu port on the Red Sea have decreased by 40% since July 19, coinciding with the start of the Yemeni ban on Saudi ships.

Amid escalating security concerns from Yemeni attacks, “Windward” noted that oil tankers docked at Yanbu port have resorted to turning off their transponders.

To counter this maritime paralysis, the company indicated that Saudi Arabia was forced to ship its crude oil via the “SUMED” pipeline through Egyptian territory and then transport it via the long Cape of Good Hope route to Asian markets.

It affirmed that this forced shift has cast a heavy shadow on economic costs, as the alternative route adds about $9 extra to the cost of each barrel of oil, placing enormous financial burdens on the Saudi budget and reducing the competitiveness of Saudi crude globally.

The maritime data company stated that this complex alternative route may also be paralyzed, as Sana’a could expand its operations in the northern Red Sea to cut off this artery.