Bab al-Mandab Traffic Disrupted, Especially Saudi Shipments

Bab al-Mandab Shipping Traffic Faces Fresh Disruption

Traffic through the Bab al-Mandab Strait has come under renewed pressure following recent Houthi gains along Yemen's Red Sea coast, creating particular difficulties for Saudi Arabian exports.

The narrow waterway connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is an important maritime route for energy shipments and international trade. Recent developments have increased concerns among ship operators about navigating the route, particularly for vessels carrying Saudi products. 

The disruption comes at a time when shipping through the wider Middle East region is already facing significant pressure, including reduced traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

Saudi Shipments Hit Particularly Hard

Saudi Arabia's exports through Bab al-Mandab have experienced a substantial decline.

According to maritime tracking firm Kpler data cited in the latest report, only five laden vessels carrying Saudi products left the Red Sea through the strait during the past seven days.

The figure remains significantly below the typical level recorded earlier in the year. The last time the weekly number was higher was during the week of July 24, when 11 vessels carrying Saudi products exited the Red Sea through Bab al-Mandab. 

The decline highlights how security concerns around the waterway are affecting Saudi Arabia's ability to use the Red Sea as an export corridor.

Crude Oil Shipments Also Below Average

The impact is not limited to Saudi cargoes.

Crude oil exports passing out of the Red Sea through Bab al-Mandab have also fallen below their average levels for the year.

Kpler data shows that approximately 3.4 million barrels per day of crude were exported through the route from September 11, compared with an average of approximately 4.4 million barrels per day since the beginning of 2026. 

The difference indicates that the disruption is affecting a major component of energy transportation through the waterway.

Traffic Has Slowed, but the Strait Has Not Closed

Despite the disruption, Bab al-Mandab has not completely stopped functioning as a commercial shipping route.

Kpler data indicates that approximately 24 ships per day passed through the strait in both directions over the past week. That compares with an average of around 31 crossings per day since January.

The figures suggest that shipping activity has declined rather than disappeared altogether. 

For shipping companies, however, even a partial reduction in traffic can have significant consequences if vessels require additional security measures, rerouting or longer journeys.

Houthi Control Raises Shipping Security Concerns

The disruption follows recent territorial gains by the Iran-aligned Houthi movement along Yemen's Red Sea coast.

The group has stated that it does not consider navigation through Bab al-Mandab to be under threat generally, while saying that Saudi vessels are subject to its restrictions. Any attacks or threats involving commercial vessels, however, can influence the risk calculations of international shipping companies. 

The situation has therefore created uncertainty even for vessels that are not directly targeted.

Shipping companies generally consider security risks, insurance costs, potential delays and the availability of alternative routes when deciding whether to continue using a particular maritime corridor.

Why Bab al-Mandab Is Strategically Important

Bab al-Mandab is one of the world's important maritime chokepoints.

The strait sits at the southern entrance to the Red Sea, providing a connection between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden and, ultimately, the Indian Ocean.

For ships travelling between Asia, the Middle East and Europe, the route can be significantly more efficient than avoiding the Red Sea and travelling around the southern tip of Africa.

As a result, prolonged disruption can affect not only oil shipments but also containerised cargo, bulk commodities and other international trade.

Saudi Arabia Faces a Difficult Shipping Environment

The latest disruption is particularly significant for Saudi Arabia because the kingdom has already faced difficulties moving oil through its traditional Gulf export routes amid the broader regional conflict.

Recent Reuters reporting said Houthi control of parts of Yemen's Red Sea coast has threatened Saudi oil export routes that have become increasingly important as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been disrupted. 

Saudi Arabia has extensive oil infrastructure on both its Gulf and Red Sea coasts, giving the kingdom multiple export options. However, security problems affecting both major maritime corridors can reduce flexibility.

Bab al-Mandab and the Strait of Hormuz

The current situation has created an unusual overlap between two major maritime chokepoints.

The Strait of Hormuz is a key route for oil and gas shipments from the Persian Gulf, while Bab al-Mandab provides an important connection between the Red Sea and the wider global shipping network.

Recent shipping data has shown reduced traffic at both locations.

Reuters reported that commodity-vessel traffic through Hormuz fell sharply earlier this week, while Bab al-Mandab also recorded a decline from 28 commodity-vessel transits in one day to 21.

The simultaneous pressure on the two routes increases uncertainty for energy traders and shipping companies.

Impact on Global Oil Markets

Reduced shipping through a major oil corridor can create concerns about the availability and timing of supplies.

The latest data does not indicate that crude shipments through Bab al-Mandab have stopped. However, the decline from an average of approximately 4.4 million barrels per day to around 3.4 million barrels per day shows that the security situation is already affecting flows. 

For global markets, the key issue is whether the disruption remains temporary or develops into a longer-lasting restriction.

A prolonged reduction in shipping could increase freight costs, insurance premiums and delivery times, potentially adding to the cost of energy and other traded commodities.

Shipping Companies Face Higher Risk

Commercial shipping decisions are increasingly being influenced by security considerations across the Red Sea.

When the perceived risk of using a maritime route increases, operators may choose to slow vessels, change routes, wait for improved security conditions or use alternative corridors.

Such decisions can increase transportation distances and fuel consumption.

The latest Kpler figures indicate that while vessels continue to use Bab al-Mandab, traffic has already declined compared with the year's average. 

Potential Impact on Supply Chains

The consequences of the disruption could extend beyond the oil industry.

The Red Sea route is important for international container shipping and the movement of manufactured goods, raw materials and other commodities.

If shipping companies increasingly avoid Bab al-Mandab, vessels may need to travel around the Cape of Good Hope.

That alternative route can add considerable distance and time to voyages between Asia and Europe, increasing fuel consumption and freight costs.

For businesses, prolonged shipping delays can also affect inventory management and delivery schedules.

Saudi Oil Exports Remain a Key Concern

Saudi Arabia is particularly exposed because the latest disruption specifically affects vessels carrying Saudi products.

Only five laden Saudi-product vessels exited the Red Sea through Bab al-Mandab during the seven-day period cited in the latest Kpler data. 

The decline does not necessarily mean that Saudi exports have stopped. Instead, it indicates that the volume of shipments using this particular maritime route has been significantly reduced.

The eventual impact on total Saudi oil exports will depend on how much cargo can be redirected through alternative routes and infrastructure.

Regional Conflict Continues to Shape Maritime Trade

The disruption at Bab al-Mandab is part of a wider deterioration in maritime security across the Middle East.

The regional conflict has already affected traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, while developments along Yemen's Red Sea coast have created additional risks around Bab al-Mandab. 

This combination is important for global energy markets because the two waterways serve different but interconnected parts of the international oil transportation system.

Key Figures at a Glance

IndicatorLatest figureSaudi laden vessels exiting Red Sea via Bab al-Mandab in past 7 days5Previous comparable weekly high cited11 vesselsCrude exports through route since Sept. 11About 3.4 million barrels per dayAverage crude exports since January 2026About 4.4 million barrels per dayAverage daily commodity-vessel crossings over past weekAbout 24Average daily crossings since JanuaryAbout 31Main affected areaSaudi exports and Red Sea shipping

Source: Kpler data cited by AFP/Economic Times. 

What Happens Next?

The future of shipping through Bab al-Mandab will depend heavily on developments along Yemen's Red Sea coast and the broader Middle East conflict.

If security conditions deteriorate further, shipping companies could reduce traffic even more or divert additional vessels to alternative routes.

If tensions ease, shipping activity could gradually recover.

For oil markets, traders will also monitor Saudi Arabia's ability to maintain exports through alternative infrastructure and routes.

The latest figures therefore provide an important snapshot of current disruption, but they do not by themselves establish how long the reduced traffic will continue.

Bottom Line

Traffic through the Bab al-Mandab Strait has been disrupted following recent Houthi gains along Yemen's Red Sea coast, with Saudi shipments particularly affected. Kpler data shows that only five laden vessels carrying Saudi products passed out of the Red Sea through the strait during the latest seven-day period. 

Crude exports have also declined, with approximately 3.4 million barrels per day moving through the route since September 11 compared with an average of about 4.4 million barrels per day since January.

The strait has not been completely closed, but traffic is running below its normal 2026 levels. With shipping through the Strait of Hormuz also under pressure, continued disruption at Bab al-Mandab could have broader implications for Saudi exports, freight costs, supply chains and global energy markets.