Russian tanker reroutes around Africa after Red Sea U-turn

A Panama-flagged tanker carrying Russian naphtha has abandoned plans to transit the Red Sea, opting instead to sail around Africa as security risks linked to the conflict in the Middle East continue to disrupt global shipping routes, according to trade sources and ship-tracking data.

Reuters reported on August 3 that the Suezmax tanker Sea Icon attempted to pass through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait during the last week of July before changing course and heading around the African continent.

The vessel loaded at least 100,000 tonnes of naphtha from Russia’s Ust-Luga port on July 1 for delivery to Asian markets, according to data from the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG). The cargo belongs to Russian energy company Novatek, a key supplier of naphtha to Asia as buyers seek alternative fuel sources amid continuing instability in the Gulf.

As of 0400 GMT on Monday, ship-tracking data showed the tanker signalling Cape Town, South Africa, as its destination, indicating that it had abandoned the shorter Red Sea route in favour of the longer voyage around the Cape of Good Hope.

The decision reflects growing concerns among shipping companies over the safety of navigating the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and security concerns in the Red Sea, waterways that connect Europe and Asia through the Suez Canal. Ongoing conflict in the Middle East has heightened risks to commercial vessels, prompting some operators to seek alternative routes despite significantly higher transport costs and longer delivery times.

A Russia-based trader told Reuters that cargoes have increasingly been diverted around Africa because of the conflict, highlighting how regional instability is reshaping global maritime trade.

Novatek did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment. The tanker is operated by Kuwait-based Arab Maritime Petroleum Transport Company, which also did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The rerouting of Russian fuel shipments underscores the wider economic consequences of insecurity in one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors. While sailing around Africa extends voyage times, shipping companies continue to prioritise crew safety and cargo security as tensions in the Red Sea show little sign of easing.

Reuters,Maghrebi.