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Saudi crude rerouting talks: Asian buyers explore Africa route amid Red Sea attacks

Asian crude oil buyers are negotiating with Saudi Aramco to reroute flows around Africa following Houthi attacks on tankers in the Red Sea. Refiners are considering alternatives to Bab el-Mandeb, including routes through Egypt's Sidi Kerir port in the Mediterranean or via the Suez Canal using smaller vessels. India's state-run refiners are prepared to pay higher freight charges for these longer voyages, which could extend journey times by as much as a month. Brent crude topped $98 a barrel, up more than a third this month.