Two China-linked VLCCs — “Xin Long Yang” and “Cosnew Lake” — have become closely watched vessels in the latest crisis. The two tankers loaded around 4 million barrels of Saudi crude oil in Yanbu and continued their voyage through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, heading toward China.
According to vessel tracking data, “Xin Long Yang” is carrying Saudi crude toward Qinzhou, China, while “Cosnew Lake” is sailing toward Huizhou, China. Both vessels are managed within the COSCO Shipping system and are understood to be chartered by Unipec.
Their passage comes after Houthi forces announced restrictions against Saudi-linked shipping and claimed attacks on two oil tankers, highlighting the growing uncertainty facing commercial operators in the Red Sea.

At the same time, traffic through the region has declined sharply:
• Bab el-Mandeb daily vessel transits have fallen to around 27 ships, compared with approximately 65–72 vessels per day before the latest escalation.
• Strait of Hormuz traffic remains extremely limited, with only a handful of commercial vessels transiting daily and VLCC and LNG carrier movements still largely absent.
The impact is spreading into global energy markets:
• Brent crude has moved close to USD 100/barrel as markets price in combined risks from Hormuz disruption, Red Sea attacks and tighter supply routes.
• QatarEnergy has extended force majeure notifications for some LNG customers, while buyers are seeking more flexible contract terms and stronger supply security.
• LNG and tanker markets are facing growing uncertainty as shipowners reassess exposure to critical chokepoints.

For shipping, the consequences are significant:
⚓ Longer voyages and increased tonne-mile demand
⚓ Higher war-risk premiums and insurance costs
⚓ Greater pressure on tanker and LNG fleet availability
⚓ Renewed focus on alternative routes and supply chain resilience

The current crisis demonstrates a fundamental shift in maritime risk management.
Shipping is no longer only a transportation business — it has become a strategic asset linked to energy security, trade continuity and geopolitical stability.