Saudi Arabia is rerouting maritime trade to its western ports on the Red Sea in an effort to avoid the strategic Strait of Hormuz, where vessels have come under attack amid the escalating conflict with Iran.

Ships heading to the kingdom’s eastern ports along the Persian Gulf typically pass through the Strait of Hormuz. However, the passage has effectively become inaccessible since the outbreak of war with Iran, The Caspian Post reports via foreign media.

Under the new initiative, Saudi trade will increasingly move through ports on the Red Sea coast. Authorities are also developing new logistics routes to receive containers and cargo that were previously routed through Persian Gulf ports.

Saudi Arabian Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al‑Jasser said the national logistics network is expanding its capacity to maintain stable supply chains.

“The transport and logistics system is operating efficiently, increasing the capacity of ports, airports, and transport networks to ensure stable supply chains,” Al-Jasser said during a visit to a Red Sea port.