The fourth Saudi oil tanker was attacked!Houthis expands maritime blockade and plans to charge navig
- Author:Maintenance network
- Source:Maintenance network
- Release Date:2026-07-31
Recently, the situation in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz has continued to undergo new changes.On the one hand, the Houthi armed forces continue to expand the scope of their attacks on Saudi shipping targets; on the other hand, there are still large differences in regional coordination plans regarding future navigation rules in the Strait of Hormuz.For global energy transportation and international shipping, the security risks of the two key sea lanes have not been significantly alleviated.
01 Another safety incident was reported in the southern Red Sea. On July 28, local time, the British Maritime Trade Operations Office (UKMTO) issued Safety Notice No. 98, stating that an oil tanker reported hearing an explosion nearby while sailing in the southern Red Sea. The incident caused no casualties and did not cause damage to the ship.UKMTO stated that relevant departments are currently investigating the cause of the incident and once again reminded all passing ships to be vigilant and report any abnormal activities to relevant agencies immediately.Also on July 28, the Houthi armed military spokesman issued a statement saying that it used anti-ship missiles to attack the Saudi oil tanker NCC GHAZAL (IMO: 9685205) on the grounds that the ship violated its previously announced maritime embargo measures against Saudi Arabia, and said that the missiles forced the ship to return.Public AIS data shows that NCC GHAZAL has turned off the AIS signal, and the last public position was shown to be in the waters near Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, on July 23.This is the fourth Saudi oil tanker that the Houthis have publicly announced an attack on since they announced the so-called "maritime embargo" against Saudi Arabia on July 20.At the same time: the previously attacked VLCC LAYLA (IMO: 9336098) has reopened its AIS on July 28 and is currently located in the northern Red Sea; the product tanker ENCELIA (IMO: 9240172) AIS is still closed.Recently, many international shipping safety agencies have continued to remind that the southern Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait are still high-risk navigation areas, and merchant ships need to pay close attention to the latest navigation warnings.
02 Military tensions between the United States and Iran continue to revolve around the future management mechanism of the Strait of Hormuz, and new diplomatic trends have recently emerged.According to a Reuters report on July 28, Oman has proposed a regional joint management plan to Iran. It is recommended to learn from the Malacca Strait model and have coastal countries jointly participate in management. Passing ships can pay navigation service fees on a voluntary basis for public services such as waterway maintenance, search and rescue, and environmental protection.However, on July 29, Iran clearly rejected the plan, stating that it would not accept the shared management model and insisted on maintaining greater management authority in the Strait of Hormuz.Iran believes that this plan is not in line with its strategic interests.Previously, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi had spoken with the foreign ministers of Oman and Saudi Arabia respectively to discuss issues of security and regional cooperation in the Strait of Hormuz.At present, there is still great uncertainty in the future navigation arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz.
03 The Houthis armed forces are reported to be studying the imposition of "navigation fees". In addition to the Strait of Hormuz, new risk factors have recently emerged in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the southern end of the Red Sea.According to a Reuters report on July 29, multiple people familiar with the matter revealed that the Houthi armed forces are studying the imposition of so-called "navigation fees" on commercial ships passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The relevant plan is said to be based on the management ideas promoted by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz.This measure has not yet been officially implemented, but it has attracted great attention from the international shipping industry.If relevant measures are implemented, it may further push up the operating costs of the Red Sea route and increase comprehensive expenses such as insurance, security and detours.
04 Industry Observation At present, the two key sea lanes in the Middle East - the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait - still face security and policy risks at different levels.On the one hand, ship attacks in the Red Sea are still continuing, and regional shipping safety alerts remain at a high level; on the other hand, a unanimous plan for future navigation rules and management mechanisms in the Strait of Hormuz has yet to be formed, and there are still large differences in relevant negotiations.For shipping companies, cargo owners and energy trading companies, it is recommended to continue to pay attention to the latest operational announcements from UKMTO, JMIC, IMO and various shipping companies, promptly assess route adjustments, war risks, ship security and supply chain continuity risks, and make transportation and booking arrangements in advance to reduce the operational impact of geopolitical events.
01 Another safety incident was reported in the southern Red Sea. On July 28, local time, the British Maritime Trade Operations Office (UKMTO) issued Safety Notice No. 98, stating that an oil tanker reported hearing an explosion nearby while sailing in the southern Red Sea. The incident caused no casualties and did not cause damage to the ship.UKMTO stated that relevant departments are currently investigating the cause of the incident and once again reminded all passing ships to be vigilant and report any abnormal activities to relevant agencies immediately.Also on July 28, the Houthi armed military spokesman issued a statement saying that it used anti-ship missiles to attack the Saudi oil tanker NCC GHAZAL (IMO: 9685205) on the grounds that the ship violated its previously announced maritime embargo measures against Saudi Arabia, and said that the missiles forced the ship to return.Public AIS data shows that NCC GHAZAL has turned off the AIS signal, and the last public position was shown to be in the waters near Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, on July 23.This is the fourth Saudi oil tanker that the Houthis have publicly announced an attack on since they announced the so-called "maritime embargo" against Saudi Arabia on July 20.At the same time: the previously attacked VLCC LAYLA (IMO: 9336098) has reopened its AIS on July 28 and is currently located in the northern Red Sea; the product tanker ENCELIA (IMO: 9240172) AIS is still closed.Recently, many international shipping safety agencies have continued to remind that the southern Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait are still high-risk navigation areas, and merchant ships need to pay close attention to the latest navigation warnings.
02 Military tensions between the United States and Iran continue to revolve around the future management mechanism of the Strait of Hormuz, and new diplomatic trends have recently emerged.According to a Reuters report on July 28, Oman has proposed a regional joint management plan to Iran. It is recommended to learn from the Malacca Strait model and have coastal countries jointly participate in management. Passing ships can pay navigation service fees on a voluntary basis for public services such as waterway maintenance, search and rescue, and environmental protection.However, on July 29, Iran clearly rejected the plan, stating that it would not accept the shared management model and insisted on maintaining greater management authority in the Strait of Hormuz.Iran believes that this plan is not in line with its strategic interests.Previously, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi had spoken with the foreign ministers of Oman and Saudi Arabia respectively to discuss issues of security and regional cooperation in the Strait of Hormuz.At present, there is still great uncertainty in the future navigation arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz.
03 The Houthis armed forces are reported to be studying the imposition of "navigation fees". In addition to the Strait of Hormuz, new risk factors have recently emerged in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the southern end of the Red Sea.According to a Reuters report on July 29, multiple people familiar with the matter revealed that the Houthi armed forces are studying the imposition of so-called "navigation fees" on commercial ships passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The relevant plan is said to be based on the management ideas promoted by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz.This measure has not yet been officially implemented, but it has attracted great attention from the international shipping industry.If relevant measures are implemented, it may further push up the operating costs of the Red Sea route and increase comprehensive expenses such as insurance, security and detours.
04 Industry Observation At present, the two key sea lanes in the Middle East - the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait - still face security and policy risks at different levels.On the one hand, ship attacks in the Red Sea are still continuing, and regional shipping safety alerts remain at a high level; on the other hand, a unanimous plan for future navigation rules and management mechanisms in the Strait of Hormuz has yet to be formed, and there are still large differences in relevant negotiations.For shipping companies, cargo owners and energy trading companies, it is recommended to continue to pay attention to the latest operational announcements from UKMTO, JMIC, IMO and various shipping companies, promptly assess route adjustments, war risks, ship security and supply chain continuity risks, and make transportation and booking arrangements in advance to reduce the operational impact of geopolitical events.