Houthis continue to Threaten Shipping Operations in Red Sea

Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi has declared that military operations will continue in support of the Palestinian people if Israel continues its aggressive actions. Since late 2023, there have been over 100 confirmed attacks on commercial vessels attributed to the Houthi-led campaign. These attacks peaked in the first quarter of 2024 but have gradually decreased in subsequent quarters, with industry experts cautiously monitoring the situation for any potential reopening of the Red Sea.

Industry sentiment suggests that the return of shipping to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait will be a gradual process, contingent upon the ceasefire holding and the Houthis demonstrating their commitment to peace. Shipowners, managers, and key stakeholders are uncertain about when vessels will be able to transit the Red Sea again, as the Houthis remain a threat. It is anticipated that the reopening process may take months to establish new procedures and ensure safe transits for commercial vessels.

Mainstream owners are likely to wait for a sustained period of safe transits without any attacks before considering resuming operations in the Red Sea. Assurance from naval forces, including the US and UK navies, will also be crucial in rebuilding confidence in the safety of commercial shipping in the region. The International Maritime Organization reports no attacks since November 2024, with ongoing efforts to secure the release of the crew of the detained vessel Galaxy Leader, taken hostage in a Houthi raid in November 2023.

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