Saudi Tankers Go Dark to Evade Red Sea Blockade

The Merbabu broadcast a message stating "NO LINK ISRAEL UK US" on its AIS signal shortly before going dark, a common maneuver used to avoid hostile targeting. This transit follows a formal declaration from Iran-aligned Houthi forces that they would expand their maritime campaign to specifically target Saudi oil shipments moving through the key Red Sea chokepoint.

While some vessels have altered their routes—with the Torm Innovation performing a U-turn to head north toward the Suez Canal—traffic through the strait has not fully collapsed. Maritime intelligence firm Windward noted that enforcement appears calibrated to specific vessel ownership rather than cargo type alone. Consequently, tankers linked to China have successfully cleared the area, suggesting that Saudi crude remains in transit as long as the carriers avoid the Houthi target criteria.