Commercial shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait has collapsed to its lowest level in months, with tracking data showing just 11 commodity vessels transiting the critical chokepoint on Sunday.
The sharp contraction in traffic underscores the enduring impact of attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, which continue to disrupt one of the world’s most vital oil trade routes.
The decline in transit activity is a key driver behind the accelerating boom in the tanker market, as geopolitical risks squeeze global supply chains.
With fewer ships willing or able to navigate the Red Sea corridor, freight rates remain under upward pressure and energy flows are increasingly rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope, adding time and cost to deliveries.
This development extends the pattern of route exposure that has defined shipping markets for months.
The persistent threat in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait forces carriers to weigh security risks against commercial efficiency, often opting for longer, more expensive alternatives.