Saudi Aramco has released an official statement on an attack, which took place yesterday, July 25th, on two very large crude carriers (VLCC) transporting the company’s crude oil, following earlier confirmation of the incident by the Saudi Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, Khalid Al Falih.
Two VLCCs, each with a 2mn barrel capacity, operated by the Saudi National Shipping Company, Bahri, and transporting Aramco crude oil, were attacked by Houthi militia yesterday morning in the Red Sea, according to the statement. The exact location was not provided. The release also revealed that one of the ships sustained minimal damage. No injuries or oil spills have been reported.
Aramco’s statement added, “In the interest of the safety of ships and their crews and to avoid the risk of oil spill, Saudi Aramco has temporarily halted all oil shipments through Bab El-Mandeb Strait with immediate effect. The company is carefully assessing the situation and will take further action as prudence demands.”
