Six Saudi tankers reroute around the Cape of Good Hope as Taiwan to Yanbu voyage stretches from 24 to 56 days

According to a report published on Monday, August 3, 2026, satellite imagery and maritime tracking data show that at least six Saudi-flagged tankers have diverted away from the Bab el-Mandeb strait and around the Cape of Good Hope in southern Africa to avoid attacks on shipping.

After the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia had routed most of its oil exports through the East-West pipeline to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, which had effectively become the country's main remaining export outlet.

Maritime intelligence firm Windward reported that the rerouting carries a heavy cost: the voyage from Taiwan to Yanbu has stretched from 24 days to more than 56 days, and the cost per transit has risen by between 2 and 2.5 million dollars. A maritime analytics firm said Saudi crude export flows are set to fall further in the coming weeks unless the disruption at Bab el-Mandeb ends.