Eleven tankers transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait Sunday, the fewest in months, after Houthi threats disrupted Saudi oil shipments.
Tanker traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait fell to its lowest level in months on Sunday, with only 11 vessels carrying commodities recorded. The decline follows Houthi attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure and threats to target tankers in the Red Sea region.
Traffic began slowing a week ago after Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis declared a blockade on Saudi shipments. The strait, a critical chokepoint between the Red Sea and Arabian Sea, typically sees higher volumes, but escalating tensions have deterred transit.
No immediate market reaction was reported, though prolonged disruptions could tighten oil supply routes and pressure freight rates.