The Red Sea is experiencing a significant decline in commercial shipping activity, with the number of vessels passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait more than halving since December. This drop in maritime traffic is attributed to the heightened tensions following the US and UK strikes on Houthi targets within Yemen.
Data from the Marine Traffic service reveals that, since January 12, only 114 commercial vessels, including oil tankers, have traversed the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. In contrast, the same period a week earlier saw at least 130 vessels navigating the strait. In mid-December 2023, more than 270 vessels had crossed the strategic waterway.
The decline in marine traffic intensified on January 12 when major shipping organizations advised owners and operators to avoid the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden for 72 hours due to the perceived risk of retaliatory attacks by the Houthis. By 4 p.m. MSK on Friday, only 20 commercial vessels had crossed the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, representing half the average for the preceding four days.
In response to the escalating tensions, Qatar's state-owned QatarEnergy has reportedly suspended the transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) through the Red Sea. Citing safety concerns due to Houthi actions targeting commercial ships since mid-November 2023, Reuters reported that QatarEnergy is heeding "safety recommendations." If the Red Sea waters remain unsafe, the company plans to divert its LNG cargoes via the Cape of Good Hope in southern Africa, as disclosed by sources.
Marine Traffic data highlights specific LNG tankers affected by these developments. The tankers Al Ghariya, Al Huwaila, and Al Nuaman, which loaded at the LNG terminal in the Qatari port of Ras Laffan on January 9 and 11, were scheduled to sail to the Suez Canal but have been anchored off the coast of Oman since January 14. Additionally, the tanker Al Rekayyat stopped in the northern Red Sea on January 13 after unloading at the Adriatic regasification terminal in Italy, returning to Doha. Notably, all four LNG tankers are reportedly chartered by QatarEnergy, according to a source at the Dubai Multi Commodity Exchange, as reported by TASS.
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Based on materials from TASS