Rare LNG Vessel Sails Through Red Sea Amid Houthi Attacks
A liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessel is sailing through the Red Sea after crossing the Bab al-Mandeb Strait this week, shipping data showed, a rare occurrence for LNG shipments following attacks by Yemeni Houthis on ships in the area.
The Asya Energy vessel passed by Yemen through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait on June 18, shiptracking data from LSEG and Kpler showed, the same week as a second ship believed to have been hit by Yemen’s Houthi militants sunk.
“Asya Energy is the first LNG tanker to sail through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait since January this year when LNG voyages through the Red Sea were suspended amid repeated rocket attacks,” said LSEG analyst Olumide Ajayi, adding that data showed that the ship is carrying cargo.
Most LNG tankers have avoided taking this route after Houthis launched repeated drone and missile strikes in the Red Sea region. They describe their attacks, which have since expanded to other busy waterways, as acts of solidarity with Palestinians in Israel’s war in Gaza.
The Red Sea is linked to the Mediterranean by the Suez Canal, creating the shortest shipping route between Europe and Asia, and is connected to the Gulf of Aden by the Bab-al-Mandeb Strait between Yemen and Djibouti.
Palau-flagged Asya Energy is heading for Gibraltar, according to Kpler data. It previously called at the Sohar port in Oman, LSEG data showed.
