The reported Houthi advance towards Dhubab in Yemen has increased concern over the security of shipping transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital gateway between the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.
The Iran-aligned group recently captured the Red Sea port city of Mokha and is now reported by Yemeni government sources to have reached Dhubab, opposite Perim Island. Although full control of the town has not been confirmed, the position would bring Houthi forces closer to the main international shipping lane.
This matters because Bab el-Mandeb is the southern entrance to the Red Sea route connecting Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Any sustained threat in the area could prompt more carriers to avoid the route and continue, or resume, diversions around the Cape of Good Hope.
Many container lines have already used this longer route during the recent Red Sea crisis. The additional distance can extend transit times considerably and place pressure on vessel schedules, equipment availability and freight capacity.
Bab el-Mandeb remains open, with vessel transits continuing. However, the latest advance demonstrates how quickly the operating environment can change, particularly following missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia and reported activity around strategically important islands close to the Strait.
There are also continuing challenges further east. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains well below normal levels following recent attacks and merchant-vessel incidents, creating additional uncertainty for cargo moving to and from Gulf markets.
Suez Canal traffic increases
Despite the security risks, Suez Canal traffic rose sharply in July and August, with 1,232 vessels reported to have transited during the period – 28% more than a year earlier. Much of this increase was linked to tanker rerouting associated with the Hormuz crisis, rather than a wholesale return of container shipping to normal Red Sea operations.
Global Logistics Freight Solutions is monitoring developments closely and will keep customers informed of any material impact on routes, capacity and transit times.
