Yemen’s Houthi-run maritime coordination body said it does not plan to impose fees on commercial ships passing through the Bab el-Mandeb strait. In a statement reported on Saturday, the body rejected claims that vessel operators would be charged for using the route.
According to the report, the group said no such decision had been made. The denial directly addressed speculation about possible new costs for ships sailing through the Red Sea passage.
The Bab el-Mandeb strait is closely watched by the global shipping industry, so any suggestion of transit fees can quickly raise concern among commercial operators and maritime markets. The latest statement appears aimed at calming those concerns and clarifying the Houthis’ position.
While reports about Red Sea shipping conditions continue to draw international attention, the message from the Houthi maritime body was clear: there is currently no plan to levy fees on commercial vessels transiting the strait.
