Home / Business and Economy / Asia's Oil Routes Shift: Red Sea Becomes New Chokepoint
Asia's Oil Routes Shift: Red Sea Becomes New Chokepoint
7 Apr
Summary
- Asian nations reroute oil to avoid Hormuz, using Saudi's Yanbu port.
- Bab el-Mandeb Strait emerges as new potential chokepoint.
- Houthi threats raise concerns for Red Sea energy shipments.

South Korea and Taiwan are implementing revised shipping strategies to circumvent the Strait of Hormuz, rerouting crude oil through Saudi Arabia's Yanbu port on the Red Sea. This adjustment is a direct response to ongoing disruptions impacting West Asian crude imports.
South Korea is considering deploying five Korean-flagged vessels to Yanbu, seeking to secure alternative oil supply routes. Taiwan has confirmed it is redirecting approximately 46 percent of its adjusted oil supplies via Red Sea routes, supplementing the remainder through spot purchases.