The Hong Kong-flagged supertanker New Champion was bound for Saudi Arabia's Yanbu port when it turned back just before the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint. The move comes after a series of Houthi attacks targeting vessels linked to the kingdom and a growing blockade in the Red Sea.

On July 25, 2026, the New Champion approached the Bab el-Mandeb from the Gulf of Aden, stopped briefly, then U‑turned away from the chokepoint late Friday. It appears to be the first Chinese‑flagged tanker to change course in the region, possibly reacting to the heightened risk.

The incident underscores the impact of Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping and the rise of insurance premiums. Shipping companies are reassessing routes through the Bab el-Mandeb, while insurers adjust coverage for vessels carrying Saudi oil.

The U‑turn demonstrates how even large, Hong Kong‑flagged vessels are altering their path to avoid the Houthi‑controlled zone, signaling a shift in maritime strategy amid ongoing geopolitical tension.