Shipping through one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints has contracted sharply as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East intensify. According to shipping data tracked by Kpler and reported by Reuters, just 11 tankers carrying various commodities passed through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Sunday—marking the lowest volume in recent months. The decline reflects growing security concerns following recent attacks by Houthi forces on Saudi oil infrastructure along the Red Sea coast.
The Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen announced a blockade targeting Saudi shipments last week and issued warnings against vessel transits through the region. These threats have prompted shipping companies to exercise heightened caution, with many vessels either avoiding the route entirely or slowing their passage. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait serves as a critical gateway connecting the Red Sea to the Arabian Sea and ultimately the Indian Ocean, making any disruption a significant factor for global energy markets.
The continued decline in tanker traffic underscores the vulnerability of key maritime corridors to geopolitical disruption and the potential implications for crude oil prices and global supply chains. Market participants are closely monitoring the situation as regional tensions show little sign of immediate resolution.