Author: Rustam Taghizade
Editors: Camilla Alberani & Chi Chu
Recent military clashes along the Red Sea coast have coincided with a partial return of select container lines to the Bab el-Mandeb, while most global shipping continues to avoid the area. The Houthis’ blockade targets only Saudi-linked vessels, leaving the strait, a corridor that normally carries about 12% of global seaborne trade, conditionally open but fragile.
This forecast threat assessment examines the growing pressures facing one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints. A single successful strike, an insurance market reaction, or a prolonged divergence in carrier behaviour could fundamentally reshape trade flows between Asia and Europe.
