DID Press: According to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, Saudi Arabia has increased oil exports via the Red Sea and activated the East-West pipeline, making Yanbu the main route to bypass the Hormuz Strait.
However, Yanbu’s capacity remains a major limitation. The route can handle roughly 4.5–5 million barrels per day, while the Hormuz Strait sees 20–21 million barrels daily, causing a surge in oil prices.
Shifting exports to the Red Sea also moves risks to the Bab al-Mandab, considered hazardous by shipping companies. Overall, alternative routes compensate for only about one-third of Hormuz’s capacity, highlighting the limits of bypass strategies.