Saudi maritime trade faces disruptions from Yemeni blockade

The Seoul Economic Daily has reported escalating economic and logistical consequences resulting from a maritime blockade imposed by Yemeni forces on ships linked to Saudi Arabia. The blockade, announced on July 20 in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, has led shipping companies to avoid routes to and from the Kingdom due to heightened risks in the Red Sea.

South Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups has confirmed actual logistical damage to shipping routes passing through the Red Sea. Shipping officials report increased hesitation to dispatch vessels to Saudi Arabia, noting that finding cargo ships destined for the Kingdom has become ‘almost impossible.’

These disruptions are impacting international supply chains, with South Korean exporters and plastic industry cooperatives reporting difficulties in shipping finished goods despite meeting production demands. The situation has led to rising insurance premiums and increased difficulty in maintaining steady trade flows with Saudi Arabia.