Saudi Arabia offers alternate Red Sea route as Strait of Hormuz faces crisis

18-Mar-2026

.

Saudi Arabia has started offering long-term oil buyers the option of receiving part of their crude supply through a Red Sea port as disruptions continue in the Strait of Hormuz, reported Bloomberg.

The move comes as the key shipping route faces uncertainty due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important passages for global oil shipments, and any disruption there can affect supply across many countries.

Saudi Arabia is now giving its long-term customers the option to receive their April oil allocations through the Red Sea port of Yanbu instead of the usual Persian Gulf terminals.