By Tsvetana Paraskova of OilPrice.com The Houthi threats to shipping in the Red Sea and its chokepoint, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, have forced at least one oil tanker carrying Saudi crude to Asia to choose the much longer route through the Suez Canal, the Mediterranean, and around Africa.

Dozens of vessels navigate the Bab el-Mandeb Strait despite Houthi rebel threats. Growing uncertainty forces ships to alter courses and execute U-turns. Recent attacks on oil…

Attacks on vessels have forced the kingdom to seek longer, costlier routes to Asian buyers