Riyadh is now looking to use the Mediterranean route more extensively after the Houthis on July 20 threatened to target oil exports passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

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

Houthi attacks and threats against Saudi-linked shipping have driven tanker traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to a multi-month low as shipowners seek to avoid the…