More oil tankers shun southern Red Sea after US-led strikes in Yemen

FILE PHOTO: A cargo ship boat model is seen in front of "Red Sea" words in this illustration taken January 9, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) - At least six more oil tankers were steering clear of the southern Red Sea on Monday, as disruptions on the vital route for energy shipping increase in the wake of U.S.-led strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.

Following the strikes, the U.S.-led Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) based in Bahrain warned all ships to avoid the Bab al-Mandab Strait at the south end of the Red Sea for several days on Friday, according to tanker body INTERTANKO.