Tanker Exits Red Sea Dark as China Ship Heads Toward Strait

By Weilun Soon

Jul 24, 2026 (Bloomberg) –A Greek tanker carrying Saudi crude exited the Red Sea with its transponder off, while another Chinese vessel and Russian cargoes headed toward the Bab el-Mandeb strait, after Houthi attacks heightened risks.

Days after the Iran-backed group declared a blockade of Saudi Arabia, Western shipowners appear to be making plans to avoid Bab el-Mandeb off Yemen, where the Houthis are based, or transit dark. Still, tankers owned by nations close to Iran, such as China, have been safely crossing despite having loaded from Saudi Arabia, while ships with Russian oil also appear to be making