China Negotiates With Houthis for Safe Passage of Oil Tankers Through Red Sea

China has initiated direct negotiations with Yemen's Houthi forces to secure safe transit for its commercial oil tankers through the volatile southern Red Sea.

Six sources familiar with the matter indicate Beijing is actively clearing individual vessels with the militia to bypass a recently declared maritime blockade.

The Houthis imposed strict maritime restrictions on July 20, vowing to prevent access to Saudi Arabian ports.

This mandate has effectively opened a new operational theater against U.S. forces and their allies, threatening broader global energy supply chains.

To mitigate disruptions, Chinese authorities became the first foreign power to open direct communications with the Yemeni group regarding the Bab el-Mandeb strait.

Bypassing the Blockade

These bilateral discussions focus on preserving the flow of crude from crucial Saudi terminals like Yanbu.

Chinese energy demands require this steady supply, particularly as Iranian maneuvers have severely restricted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to a senior Iranian official and regional sources, Beijing now coordinates safe passage on a ship-by-ship basis.

Both Chinese diplomats and Houthi representatives reportedly keep Tehran informed of these individual clearances.

Despite the heightened risk, maritime tracking data from Kpler and LSEG confirms that at least four crude-laden tankers bound for China have successfully navigated the strait since the embargo began.

The militant group previously warned international shipping firms via email that any vessel loading or discharging at Saudi facilities faces imminent targeting.

They recently claimed responsibility for drone and missile strikes on two Saudi tankers, the Encelia and the Layla.

Logistical Realities

The alternative to the Bab el-Mandeb route carries severe logistical penalties.

Rerouting a tanker from Yanbu through the Suez Canal and around the African continent extends the voyage to Asia from 16 days to approximately 50 days.

Not all vessels have risked the primary route. Two supertankers operated by Hong Kong-based Associated Maritime, the New Champion and New Prime, recently abandoned their trajectories through the Gulf of Aden due to acute security concerns.

While Beijing has not explicitly confirmed the tactical coordination, the Chinese Foreign Ministry emphasized the need for unimpeded international shipping.

"China calls on all relevant parties to continue to properly resolve conflicts and differences through dialogue and consultation, and to de-escalate the situation in the Red Sea," stated spokesperson Mao Ning.