Bab el-Mandeb tanker traffic hits multi-month low

Tanker traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait fell to its lowest level in several months on Sunday as attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels continued to disrupt shipping along one of the world’s busiest oil trade routes.

According to vessel-tracking data from Kpler, cited by Reuters, only 11 commodity tankers transited the strategic waterway linking the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea on Sunday, marking a sharp decline in vessel movements.

The slowdown follows a week of escalating attacks by the Houthis after the group announced a blockade on Saudi oil shipments and threatened to target vessels linked to the kingdom.

Last week, the rebels attacked two Saudi oil tankers, prompting some shipping companies to alter their routes. Several Saudi and international operators diverted vessels north through the Red Sea towards the Suez Canal. In contrast, others aborted planned voyages into the Red Sea by turning back before reaching the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Of the 11 vessels that passed through the strait on Sunday, seven were oil tankers, comprising four outbound and three inbound ships.

Two of the inbound tankers were Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) heading to the Saudi Red Sea port of Yanbu to load crude oil, while the third vessel was linked to Russia.

Among the outbound vessels, three were transporting crude from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Russia to China, while another carried Saudi crude destined for Pakistan.

The deteriorating security environment has also prompted shipowners to adopt additional safety measures.

Last week, at least one tanker carrying Saudi crude reportedly passed through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait with its Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponder switched off, reducing its visibility as threats against commercial shipping intensified.

Maritime intelligence firm Windward said tanker operations at Yanbu had become significantly more discreet in response to the Houthis’ campaign.

“Yanbu port has transitioned from predominantly AIS-active to entirely AIS-dark tanker operations at berth as vessels shield against the Houthi hit list,” the company said in a market note.

Although the United States and Iran have signalled a temporary pause in hostilities, the easing of tensions has yet to restore confidence among ship operators.

Shipping activity through both the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Strait of Hormuz remained subdued as of Monday, suggesting vessel owners continue to assess security risks before resuming normal operations.