Shipping data from Kpler shows that vessel movements through the Bab el‑Mandeb strait fell to a multi‑month low after the Houthi militia attacked Saudi oil installations, intensifying the US‑Iran tension in the region.

Key Takeaways

  • Only 11 commodity vessels passed Bab el‑Mandeb on Sunday – the lowest in months.
  • Houthi forces targeted Saudi Aramco sites in Jizan and Yanbu.
  • Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz also remained minimal over the weekend.

Singapore – July 27, 2026 – According to maritime analytics firm Kpler, ship traffic through the Bab el‑Mandeb strait sharply declined after the Houthi militia launched attacks on Saudi oil facilities along the Red Sea coast. Only eleven commodity vessels were recorded on Sunday, marking the lowest count in several months.

Among those, seven were oil tankers, including two Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) bound for the Saudi port of Yanbu and a Russian‑linked vessel. Four ships departed the Red Sea, notably the Hong Kong‑flagged VLCC *New Explorer* carrying two million barrels of Saudi and Emirati crude destined for Ningbo, China.

Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed the group struck sites belonging to Saudi state oil company Aramco in the cities of Jizan and Yanbu on Saturday. The attacks extend the broader US‑Iran conflict that has already throttled oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz.

Historical Background

The Iran‑aligned Houthi movement has repeatedly targeted maritime routes off Yemen’s coast since 2021, aiming to blockade Saudi exports and pressure regional allies. Their 2022 blockade of the Strait of Hormuz caused a spike in global oil prices and highlighted the vulnerability of key shipping lanes.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that any disruption in the Red Sea corridor directly impacts global oil supply chains, raising freight costs and potentially inflating consumer fuel prices worldwide.

"If such disruptions persist, the global shipping industry will need to invest heavily in alternative routes and heightened security measures," warns maritime analyst Dr. Linda Chen.
Did You Know?: The Bab el‑Mandeb strait handles roughly 50‑60 million tons of cargo daily, making it one of the world’s busiest maritime chokepoints.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Which major oil exporters are affected by the recent Houthi attacks?
A: Primarily Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Russia.

Q2: What strategies are shipping companies adopting in response?
A: Many are rerouting via alternative passages such as around South Africa’s Cape Town to mitigate risk.