A Saudi Arabia-flagged VLCC (very large crude carrier) was struck by what Houthi forces claimed was a ballistic missile, marking a fresh escalation in the group’s ongoing campaign against commercial shipping. VLCCs are among the largest vessels afloat, typically carrying around 2 million barrels of crude — making any successful strike a significant escalation both operationally and in terms of environmental risk.
The attack underscores why many carriers remain wary of resuming Red Sea transits despite the cost pressure of the longer Cape route, and adds to a year marked by a broader resurgence of attacks on neutral and flagged vessels alike in the region.
Source: The Maritime Executive — https://maritime-executive.com/shipping-news
