Bab el-Mandeb

Six Saudi Tankers Take the 56 Day Route Around Africa; Cost Per Voyage Rises by 2 to 2.5 Million Dollars (Monday, 3 August 2026)

Maritime intelligence firm Windward reported on Monday, 3 August 2026 that a Saudi tanker sailing via the Cape of Good Hope will take 56 days, against 24 days through Bab el-Mandeb; cost per voyage is up by 2 to 2.5 million dollars and at least six tankers have rerouted. The same day Brent fell 5.34 percent to 83.47 dollars. The paper market priced de-escalation while the physical map of oil transport moved the other way.