Dozens of ships are still passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait despite ongoing threats linked to Iran-backed Houthi rebels, according to a report based on shipping data. The narrow waterway remains a critical gateway for vessels moving through the Red Sea, even as security risks continue to cloud normal transit.
The latest assessment suggests maritime traffic has not stopped, but conditions have become far more uncertain. Some ships are reportedly changing course or turning back mid-journey, reflecting the pressure that repeated warnings and attacks are placing on captains, shipping firms and insurers.
Recent strikes involving oil tankers have added to concerns about the safety of one of the world’s most important trade corridors. Any disruption in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait can quickly affect energy flows, cargo schedules and already stressed supply lines linked to the wider Red Sea route.
The situation highlights the difficult balance facing global shipping: keep moving through a vital passage or absorb the cost and delay of avoiding it. As threats persist, the Red Sea remains a flashpoint for international trade as well as regional security.
