Another Brick In The Wall

24 July 2026: Houthi attacks complicate Saudi exports. On July 19, Yemen’s Houthi rebel movement declared a “maritime embargo” against Saudi Arabia. The Houthis stated that the blockade was a direct retaliation for Saudi Arabia’s long-running restrictions on Yemen and a recent alleged attack on the Sanaa International Airport. On July 22, the Houthis targeted two oil tankers, the Encelia, an Aframax controlled by Saudi’s Bihar International and the Layla, a Bahri VLCC. While the Encelia was hit and damaged, the attack on the Layla has not been independently confirmed. Today, Saudi Arabia struck Yemen’s port of Hodeidah in retaliation. The attacks have increased an already high level of uncertainty in the oil and tanker business and market participants are all trying to figure out how to respond. In this week’s Tanker Opinion, we will discuss some of the options. Please fill out the form to read the article.