(https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/comments/feed/)  (RSS 2.0) (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/feed/)  (Atom) (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/feed/atom/)  (../wp-content/themes/memouk/images/favicon.png) (../wp-content/themes/memouk/images/favicon.png)  (../../fonts.googleapis.com/css2@family=Inter%253Awght@400%3B500%3B600%3B700&family=Playfair+Display%253Awght@400%3B500%3B600%3B700&display=swap.css) (../../fonts.googleapis.com/css@family=Material+Icons%257CMaterial+Icons+Outlined%257CMaterial+Icons+Two+Tone%257CMaterial+Icons+Round%257CMaterial+Icons+Sharp&display=swap.css) Bab al-Mandeb Strait’s shipping traffic comes to halt amid conflict in Yemen – Middle East Monitor  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/)  (https://fonts.googleapis.com/)  (https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/)  (https://cdn.openshareweb.com/)  (https://cdn.shareaholic.net/)  (https://www.shareaholic.net/)  (https://analytics.shareaholic.com/)  (https://recs.shareaholic.com/)  (https://partner.shareaholic.com/)  (https://i0.wp.com/)  (https://c0.wp.com/)  (Middle East Monitor » Feed) (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/feed/)  (Middle East Monitor » Comments Feed) (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/comments/feed/)  (Middle East Monitor » Bab al-Mandeb Strait’s shipping traffic comes to halt amid conflict in Yemen Comments Feed) (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260917-bab-al-mandeb-straits-shipping-traffic-comes-to-halt-amid-conflict-in-yemen/feed/)  (oEmbed (JSON)) (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.middleeastmonitor.com%2F20260917-bab-al-mandeb-straits-shipping-traffic-comes-to-halt-amid-conflict-in-yemen%2F)  (oEmbed (XML)) (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.middleeastmonitor.com%2F20260917-bab-al-mandeb-straits-shipping-traffic-comes-to-halt-amid-conflict-in-yemen%2F&format=xml)  (https://cdn.shareaholic.net/assets/pub/shareaholic.js)              (../wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/related-posts/related-posts.css@ver=20240116.css)  (../wp-content/plugins/casualty-widget/widget-style.css@ver=7.1.1.css)  (../wp-content/plugins/contact-form-7/includes/css/styles.css@ver=6.1.6.css)  (../../fonts.googleapis.com/css@subset=latin,latin-ext,cyrillic,cyrillic-ext&family=Open+Sans%253A400,600,700,800%257COpen Sans rel=)  (../../fonts.googleapis.com/css@subset=latin,latin-ext,cyrillic,cyrillic-ext&family=Open+Sans%253A400%257COpen Sans rel=)  (../wp-content/themes/memouk/style.css@ver=7.1.1.css)  (../../cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/bootstrap/5.2.3/css/bootstrap.min.css@ver=7.1.1.css)  (../../cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/bootstrap/5.2.3/css/bootstrap-grid.min.css@ver=7.1.1.css)  (../../cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/6.7.2/css/all.min.css@ver=7.1.1.css)  (../wp-content/themes/memouk/css/slick.css@ver=7.1.1.css)  (../wp-content/themes/memouk/css/slick-theme.css@ver=7.1.1.css)  (../wp-content/themes/memouk/css/style23.css@ver=asw.css)  (../wp-content/themes/memouk/css/style-mega-menu.css@ver=7.1.1.css)  (../wp-content/themes/memouk/css/responsive6.css@ver=7.1.1.css)  (../wp-content/themes/memouk/css/quick-share.css@ver=0.1.css)  (../wp-content/plugins/ajax-search-lite/css/style.basic.css@ver=4.14.4.css)  (../wp-content/plugins/ajax-search-lite/css/style-simple-red.css@ver=4.14.4.css)  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-json/)  (JSON) (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/865753)  (RSD) (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/xmlrpc.php?rsd)   (index.html)  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=865753)  (https://fonts.gstatic.com)  (../../fonts.googleapis.com/css@family=Open+Sans&display=swap.css)  (../../fonts.googleapis.com/css@family=Open+Sans&display=swap.css)  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260917-bab-al-mandeb-straits-shipping-traffic-comes-to-halt-amid-conflict-in-yemen/?amp)                 (../../i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/favicon.png@fit=32,32&ssl=1)  (../../i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/favicon.png@fit=64,64&ssl=1)  (../../i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/favicon.png@fit=64,64&ssl=1)                (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com) (Middle East Monitor)   clear   (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/news-2/) News (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/news/asia-americas/) Asia & Americas  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/news/africa-2/) Africa  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/news/europe-russia/) Europe & Russia  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/news/middle-east/) Middle East    expand_more  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/opinion-pieces/) Opinion (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/opinion-pieces/articles-2/) Articles  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/opinion-pieces/blogs-2/) Blog  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/article/asia-americas/) Asia & Americas  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/article/africa-2/) Africa  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/article/europe-russia/) Europe & Russia  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/article/middle-east/) Middle East    expand_more  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/reviews/) Reviews (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/reviews/review-books/) Books  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/reviews/review-films-documentaries/) Films & Documentaries  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/reviews/review-events-articles/) Events & Articles    expand_more  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/interviews/) Features (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/interviews/) Interviews  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/profiles/) Profiles  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/opinion-pieces/on-this-day/) On this day  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/photo-stories/palestine-this-week/) Palestine This Week  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/memo-in-conversation-with/) MEMO in Conversation  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/photo-stories/dispatch-from-gaza/) Dispatch from Gaza    expand_more  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/publications/) Publications (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/publications/reports/) Reports  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/publications/briefing-papers/) Briefing Papers  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/publications/fact-sheets/) Fact Sheets  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/publications/documents/) Documents    expand_more  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/photo-stories/) Multimedia (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/photo-stories/) Videos & Photo Stories  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/photo-stories/explained/) Explained  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/photo-stories/memo-monitoring/) MEMO Monitoring  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/photo-stories/youve-been-served/) You've Been Served  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/photo-stories/destinations-discover-the-middle-east/) Discover the Middle East  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/conferences/) MEMO Conferences: Speeches  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/infographics/) Infographics  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/twitter-trends/) Twitter Trends  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/podcasts/) Podcasts    expand_more  (index.html#) More (https://www.palestinebookawards.com/) Palestine Book Awards     (https://www.memopublishers.com/) MEMO Publishers     (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/about/) About Us  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/contact/) Contact Us    expand_more   (https://middleeastmonitor.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=0f75dc11487e03cbba46b3dd8&id=294940df6c) Free Subscription     (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com) (Middle East Monitor)    Creating new perspectives since 2009          English Edition expand_more  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/) English Edition  (http://www.monitordooriente.com/) Portuguese Edition     (https://middleeastmonitor.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=0f75dc11487e03cbba46b3dd8&id=294940df6c) Free Subscription   (https://www.facebook.com/middleeastmonitor)    (https://twitter.com/middleeastmnt)    (https://www.instagram.com/middleeastmonitor/)    (https://www.threads.com/@middleeastmonitor)    (https://www.tiktok.com/@middleeastmonitor)    (https://www.youtube.com/@MEMonitor)    (https://middleeastmonitor.bsky.social)       search      (Search here..) ()  ()  (Start search)                          (0) (1) (0)   Generic selectors (exact)    Exact matches only   (title)    Search in title   (content)    Search in content   (excerpt)     Post Type Selectors (post)   (page)                 (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com) (Middle East Monitor)           (https://middleeastmonitor.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=0f75dc11487e03cbba46b3dd8&id=294940df6c) Free Subscription   (https://www.facebook.com/middleeastmonitor)    (https://twitter.com/middleeastmnt)    (https://www.instagram.com/middleeastmonitor/)    (https://www.threads.com/@middleeastmonitor)    (https://www.tiktok.com/@middleeastmonitor)    (https://www.youtube.com/@MEMonitor)    (https://middleeastmonitor.bsky.social)       search      (Search here..) ()  ()  (Start search)                    (0) (1) (0)   Generic selectors (exact)    Exact matches only   (title)    Search in title   (content)    Search in content   (excerpt)     Post Type Selectors (post)   (page)       Loading...                (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/region/middle-east/iran/) Iran ,  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/region/middle-east/) Middle East ,  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/news-2/) News ,  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/region/middle-east/saudi/) Saudi Arabia ,  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/region/middle-east/yemen/) Yemen ,    Bab al-Mandeb Strait’s shipping traffic comes to halt amid conflict in Yemen      (index.html#disqus_thread) 0 Comments   September 17, 2026 at 3:31 pm       (The Bab al-Mandeb Strait. [Photo/AA])   The Bab al-Mandeb Strait. [Photo/AA]             Escalating conflict off Yemen’s western coast brought shipping traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to a standstill, threatening a critical chokepoint for global logistics,Anadolu reports.  The waterway is facing its quietest days ever, coupled with the crisis in global trade and energy supply due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait carries 10% of global maritime trade and accounts for 12% of crude oil shipments. It has become a weak point in the global supply chain due to the military developments in the region. The resurgence of conflict in Yemen since July altered the map of control of the region, as the Houthis secured the entire province of Hodeidah and advanced westward to Taiz, seizing Red Sea coastal cities like Mokha and the routes providing access to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. After taking over Mokha, the Houthis captured the Hanish archipelago, the Mayun island, and the town of Dhubab, all located around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The capture of the Mayun island, located at the entrance to the western channel, raised security risks to the highest level. An average of 33 ships transit the waterway each day, but traffic fell 88%, with only four vessels passing through in the past 24 hours, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) PortWatch data. READ: (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260916-houthis-deny-threat-to-mecca-from-yemen/) Houthis deny threat to Mecca from Yemen   The passage of oil and chemical tankers fell 91%, while only one ship passed in the last 24 hours. Container ship traffic declined 86% below the average at the same time. The few ships that were able to transit the waterway were flying the flags of Panama, Singapore, Liberia, and Ethiopia. The Bab al-Mandeb Strait serves as the most critical southern gateway for goods and oil traveling from Asia to Europe via the Suez Canal, as well as for commodities bound for Asia. Global shippers and energy firms are losing this safe passage amid escalating military tensions and continue to reroute their vessels around the southern tip of Africa’s Cape of Good Hope. Circumventing the African continent extends voyage durations by weeks and causes freight and insurance costs to surge. The Houthi’s intensifying pressure on the strait could lead to a new wave of global oil shocks, analysts say. The bottleneck in the region is affecting alternative bypass plans for global energy routes. Saudi Arabia is able to transport its crude oil directly to Red Sea ports by relying on its East-West Crude Pipeline, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, but oil tankers loading cargo at these ports and heading south toward global markets have to transit the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. Blockading the strait would threaten the viability of the route that bypasses the already conflict-ridden Strait of Hormuz. OPINION: (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260917-aramco-is-not-the-kaaba/) Aramco is not the Kaaba    (index.html#disqus_thread) 0 Comments  (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) (Creative Commons License)   Unless otherwise stated in the article above, this work by (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com) Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License . If the image(s) bear our credit, this license also applies to them. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) What does that mean? For other permissions, please (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/contact) contact us .  Spotted an error on this page? Let us know    (22342)  (6.1.6)  (en_US)  (wpcf7-f22342-p865753-o1)  (865753)  ()  ()   (Email Address (if you require a response)) ()    (What is the error?)    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google (https://policies.google.com/privacy) Privacy Policy and (https://policies.google.com/terms) Terms of Service apply.  (Send)   Δ  (55)             (index.html#disqus_thread) 0 Comments     Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.   Latest news (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/news-2/) See all  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260917-israel-poses-greatest-threat-to-regional-stability-syria-warns-un-security-council/) ()    (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260917-israel-poses-greatest-threat-to-regional-stability-syria-warns-un-security-council/) Israel poses ‘greatest threat’ to regional stability, Syria warns UN Security Council   (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260917-israel-poses-greatest-threat-to-regional-stability-syria-warns-un-security-council/) Muhammad Hussein      (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260917-from-tantura-to-gaza-history-was-not-falsified-nor-was-testimony-silenced/) ()    (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260917-from-tantura-to-gaza-history-was-not-falsified-nor-was-testimony-silenced/) From Tantura to Gaza: History was not falsified, nor was testimony silenced   (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260917-from-tantura-to-gaza-history-was-not-falsified-nor-was-testimony-silenced/) Muhammad Hussein      (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260917-weapons-stolen-from-israeli-army-warehouses-flowing-to-criminal-groups-report/) ()    (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260917-weapons-stolen-from-israeli-army-warehouses-flowing-to-criminal-groups-report/) Weapons stolen from Israeli army warehouses flowing to criminal groups: Report   (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260917-weapons-stolen-from-israeli-army-warehouses-flowing-to-criminal-groups-report/) Muhammad Hussein      (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260917-jordan-saudi-arabia-discuss-efforts-to-end-regional-escalation/) ()    (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260917-jordan-saudi-arabia-discuss-efforts-to-end-regional-escalation/) Jordan, Saudi Arabia discuss efforts to end regional escalation   (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260917-jordan-saudi-arabia-discuss-efforts-to-end-regional-escalation/) Muhammad Hussein      (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260917-us-state-department-approves-24-3b-f-35-sale-to-saudi-arabia/) ()    (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260917-us-state-department-approves-24-3b-f-35-sale-to-saudi-arabia/) US State Department approves $24.3B F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia   (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260917-us-state-department-approves-24-3b-f-35-sale-to-saudi-arabia/) Muhammad Hussein      Subscribe to our newsletter () (Email Address) Sign up           (https://www.memopublishers.com/publications/islam-race-and-rebellion-in-the-americas-transatlantic-echoes-of-the-west-african-jihads/) (Islam Race and Rebellion in the Americas: Transatlantic Echoes of the West African Jihads)      (https://www.memopublishers.com/publications/engaging-the-world-the-making-of-hamas-foreign-policy) (Engaging the World: The Making of Hamas’s Foreign Policy)            Related Posts      Trending  (index.html#memoTodayTrending) Today  (index.html#memoWeeklyTrending) This week   (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/news-2/) (News) News (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260917-we-are-not-like-everyone-else-laws-that-bind-other-nations-do-not-apply-to-israel-says-likud-lawmaker/) (‘We are not like everyone else’ laws that bind other nations do not apply to Israel, says Likud lawmaker) ‘We are not like everyone else’ laws that bind other nations do not apply to Israel, says Likud lawmaker   (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/opinion-pieces/articles-2/) (Article) Article (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260917-aramco-is-not-the-kaaba/) (Aramco is not the Kaaba) Aramco is not the Kaaba   (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/news-2/) (News) News (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260917-israel-prepares-for-new-ground-operation-in-gaza/) (Israel prepares for new ground operation in Gaza) Israel prepares for new ground operation in Gaza   (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/opinion-pieces/articles-2/) (Article) Article (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260917-the-mangoush-affair-three-years-on-palestine-remains-a-red-line-in-libyas-foreign-policy/) (The Mangoush affair, three years on: Palestine remains a red line in Libya’s foreign policy) The Mangoush affair, three years on: Palestine remains a red line in Libya’s foreign policy   (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/news-2/) (News) News (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260917-netanyahu-wanted-by-icc-set-to-take-un-podium-while-palestinian-leader-abbas-unable-to-attend/) (Netanyahu, wanted by ICC, set to take UN podium while Palestinian leader Abbas unable to attend) Netanyahu, wanted by ICC, set to take UN podium while Palestinian leader Abbas unable to attend      (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/news-2/) (News) News (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260912-us-links-chinese-satellite-imagery-to-iranian-strike-that-killed-3-soldiers-report/) (US links Chinese satellite imagery to Iranian strike that killed 3 soldiers: Report) US links Chinese satellite imagery to Iranian strike that killed 3 soldiers: Report   (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/news-2/) (News) News (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260917-we-are-not-like-everyone-else-laws-that-bind-other-nations-do-not-apply-to-israel-says-likud-lawmaker/) (‘We are not like everyone else’ laws that bind other nations do not apply to Israel, says Likud lawmaker) ‘We are not like everyone else’ laws that bind other nations do not apply to Israel, says Likud lawmaker   (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/news-2/) (News) News (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260913-iran-says-leaving-nuclear-treaty-revising-nuclear-doctrine-easily-achievable/) (Iran says leaving nuclear treaty, revising nuclear doctrine ‘easily achievable’) Iran says leaving nuclear treaty, revising nuclear doctrine ‘easily achievable’   (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/news-2/) (News) News (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260913-iran-says-us-attack-on-commercial-vessel-in-gulf-kills-1-injures-3/) (Iran says ‘US attack’ on commercial vessel in Gulf kills 1, injures 3) Iran says ‘US attack’ on commercial vessel in Gulf kills 1, injures 3   (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/opinion-pieces/articles-2/) (Article) Article (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260913-from-maximum-pressure-to-maximum-leverage-what-a-us-iran-nuclear-deal-should-look-like/) (From maximum pressure to maximum leverage: What a US-Iran nuclear deal should look like) From maximum pressure to maximum leverage: What a US-Iran nuclear deal should look like              (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com) (Middle East Monitor)      (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/region/africa-2/) Africa  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/region/asia-americas/) Asia & Americas  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/region/middle-east/) Middle East  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/region/europe-russia/) Europe  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/reviews/review-books/) Book Reviews     (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/opinion-pieces/blogs-2/) Blog  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/opinion-pieces/) Opinion  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/reviews/) Reviews  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/category/photo-stories/) Multimedia  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240130-podcasts-middle-east-monitor-conversations/) Podcast: Middle East Monitor Conversations  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240130-podcasts-palestine-this-week/) Podcast: Palestine This Week     (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/editorial-guidelines/) Editorial Guidelines  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/about/) About Us  (https://www.palestinebookawards.com) Palestine Book Awards  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/contact/) Contact Us  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/privacy/) Privacy Policy  (https://www.memopublishers.com/) MEMO Publishers  (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/all-stories/) All Stories Archive     Subscribe to our newsletter () (Email Address) Sign up      (https://www.facebook.com/middleeastmonitor)    (https://twitter.com/middleeastmnt)    (https://www.instagram.com/middleeastmonitor/)    (https://www.threads.com/@middleeastmonitor)    (https://www.tiktok.com/@middleeastmonitor)    (https://www.youtube.com/@MEMonitor)    (https://middleeastmonitor.bsky.social)            © Ardi Associates Ltd 2009- . All Rights Reserved | (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/editorial-availability-intellectual-property/) Legal Pages | (https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/privacy/) Privacy Policy  Middle East Monitor is owned and operated by (https://www.ardi-associates.co.uk/) Ardi Associates Ltd