August 13, 2025

The Red Sea has turned into a dangerous zone for commercial ships since the end of 2023. The Houthi militia in Yemen began attacking vessels, saying it was to support Palestinians in Gaza. But something very curious is happening this summer – Chinese-made car-carrier ships are passing through without a scratch, according to a Jalopnik report. Why this sudden safety for Chinese ships? The report suggests China may have made a secret deal, either directly with the Houthis or through Iran, their main backer. Iran, a giant oil exporter, relies heavily on China as its top buyer. This gives China strong power over Iran and its allies. It seems China used this influence to quietly protect its fast-growing car export business. But not all Chinese ships are safe—only car carriers and even some non-Chinese ships carrying Chinese cars aren't attacked. Other Chinese vessels keep away from the Red Sea route. This shows the deal likely only covers car carriers. This safety net comes just as Chinese cars are zooming onto the European market. By April 2025, Chinese cars made nearly 5% of Europe’s market—almost double from last year. Experts predict this could reach 10% by 2034. However, Europe has hit Chinese cars with heavy taxes up to 35% to fight unfair subsidies. Why the rush to use the Red Sea route? It’s the quickest link between Asia and Europe. Avoiding the Red Sea adds 14 to 18 days to travel, which means big extra costs for fuel, wages, and ship care. Since big ships can carry 5,000 cars, these extra days could cost millions. Taking the Red Sea shortcut means huge savings that can help China’s car makers lower prices or boost profits. So, while tension rages in the Red Sea, a mysterious shield appears over Chinese car carriers. Is it China’s clever diplomacy quietly steering ships through danger to speed its car exports? Seems like a high-stakes, hidden game on the world’s busiest shipping lanes!

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Tags: Red sea, Houthi militia, Chinese car carriers, China iran deal, Car exports, Shipping route,