CAIRO: Yemen’s Houthi-controlled Maritime Affairs Authority announced that ships must obtain a permit before entering Yemeni waters. This directive raises significant concerns about the safety of maritime navigation in the region.
The Houthi repeated attacks on international commercial shipping purportedly in solidarity with Palestinians against Israel’s offensive in Gaza, have escalated tensions and posed serious risks to maritime trade. These attacks have not only forced ships to take lengthy and costly detours around southern Africa but also raised fears of broader destabilization in the Middle East.
The requirement for ships to obtain permits from the Houthi-controlled Maritime Affairs Authority introduces a new layer of complexity and uncertainty for maritime traffic passing through the Red Sea, a critical chokepoint for global shipping.
This strait sees approximately 15% of the world’s shipping traffic, including vital cargo such as apparel, appliances, auto parts, chemicals, and agricultural products.
Former US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has expressed skepticism about the likelihood of the Houthis ceasing their assaults on vessels, even if a ceasefire ends Israel’s major military operations in Gaza.
This skepticism underscores the need for heightened vigilance and proactive measures to safeguard maritime security in the region. Additionally, recent reports of damaged underwater communications cables in the Red Sea further underscore the challenges facing maritime communications infrastructure in the region. While the exact cause of the damage remains unclear, allegations of US and British attacks have surfaced, highlighting the potential repercussions of military actions on critical infrastructure.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported a recent incident in which a vessel sustained damage from two explosions southeast of Aden, emphasizing the ongoing security risks facing maritime operations in Yemeni waters.
