Paralysis of the “East-West” artery: The double blockade places the Saudi economy in a historic predicament

The current crisis of the “East-West” oil pipeline (Petroline) represents the most painful blow to the Saudi economic lung,

Follow-ups – Al-Khabar Al-Yemeni:

As the main artery extending for about 1,200 kilometers, which normally transports between 4 to 5 million barrels per day from the fields of the Eastern Region to the Red Sea ports, has been paralyzed. This forced halt removed the only strategic option the Kingdom had relied on to avoid maritime risks, and made the remaining export capabilities hostage to the Yanbu berth stockpiles, which are only sufficient to compensate for the shortage for a few days.

The pipeline crisis coincides with a near-total paralysis in supply lines and maritime navigation heading to the western Saudi ports of Jeddah and Yanbu. The tightening of the direct ban in vital waterways and the proximity of the Bab Al-Mandeb Strait led most global shipping and insurance companies to refrain from risking docking at Saudi ports, forcing ships to take long alternative routes around the Cape of Good Hope, causing the duration of maritime voyages to double from a few days to more than a month, and record increases in shipping and insurance costs.

This double blockade by land and sea resulted in Saudi oil exports falling to unprecedented levels in decades, leaving widespread confusion in global energy markets due to the direct threat to about 4% of international oil supplies. This compounded predicament placed Riyadh before escalating economic and political pressures, after the infrastructure of its major projects and strategic plans became under direct threat, limiting its diplomatic and military options.