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| Commercial oil tankers sail near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategic shipping route facing heightened security concerns amid regional tensions. |
China Seeks Safe Red Sea Shipping Deal With Yemen's Houthis
LONDON/DUBAI — July 28, 2026
China has held direct talks with Yemen's Houthi movement to help ensure its oil tankers can safely pass through the southern Red Sea after the group announced new restrictions on shipping linked to Saudi Arabia, according to several sources familiar with the discussions.
The reported talks come as tensions in one of the world's most important shipping routes continue to grow. The Houthis, who are aligned with Iran, announced on July 20 that they would block access to Saudi ports, raising concerns about global energy supplies and maritime security.
Sources familiar with the matter said Beijing asked the Houthis to guarantee safe passage for Chinese tankers traveling through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a narrow waterway connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. They said China was among the first countries to contact the group directly after the new restrictions were announced.
China has not publicly confirmed holding direct negotiations. However, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said it is closely monitoring developments in the Red Sea and supports protecting international shipping while encouraging all parties to reduce tensions through dialogue.
The reported effort reflects China's interest in maintaining a steady flow of crude oil from Saudi Arabia's Red Sea export terminals, particularly Yanbu. Those exports have become more important as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been disrupted during the regional conflict involving Iran.
Shipping data indicates that at least four tankers carrying Saudi crude for China have successfully passed through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait since the Houthis announced their restrictions. Sources said Chinese authorities reportedly coordinated the movement of each vessel individually with the Houthis, while regional officials said Iran was informed of those arrangements.
The Houthis have also reportedly warned international shipping companies by email that vessels loading or unloading cargo at Saudi ports could face attacks. These warnings have increased concerns among shipping operators.
Some tanker owners have already altered their routes because of the security risks. Industry tracking data showed that two supertankers, New Champion and New Prime, turned away from the Bab el-Mandeb area instead of continuing through the strait. One vessel had planned to load Saudi oil, while the other was already carrying crude.
Last week, the Houthis claimed responsibility for missile and drone attacks on two Saudi oil tankers. Maritime security officials confirmed an attack on one of the vessels, while reports about the second could not be independently verified.
The security situation has significant commercial consequences. A normal voyage from Saudi Arabia's Yanbu port to Asia through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait takes about 16 days. If ships avoid the route by traveling through the Suez Canal and around Africa, the journey can take roughly 50 days, increasing costs and delaying deliveries.
People familiar with the Houthis' operations said the group has maintained working relations with China in recent years, particularly regarding oil shipments from Saudi Arabia. Neither the Houthis, Iran's Foreign Ministry nor China's Transport Ministry immediately commented on the reported discussions.
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