Iran and Yemen’s Houthi movement are reportedly developing plans to impose fees on shipping traffic transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, according to ShippingWatch.
According to ShippingWatch, the Houthi group is exploring new options for collecting tolls from vessels passing through the strait, a critical chokepoint connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. The report also notes that, according to sources cited by ShippingWatch, China is seeking to secure special status in relation to these arrangements.
The development comes as Iran and the Houthis intensify pressure on shipping activity in the Red Sea region, ShippingWatch reports. Specific details regarding the structure, scale, or timeline of the proposed fees have not been disclosed in the available reporting.
ShippingWatch notes that this move follows related developments in the region, including separate reporting that China has been in direct talks with the Houthis to secure oil shipments via the Red Sea route, and that Gulf States have backed an Omani plan for voluntary fees in the Strait of Hormuz. Together, these reports point to a broader pattern of regional actors seeking to influence or monetize traffic through key maritime chokepoints.
Does this matter to you?
For anyone monitoring vessel transits through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, this reported move by Iran and the Houthis could introduce new operational and cost considerations for shipping routed through the Red Sea. Charterers, operators, and traders tracking regional risk may want to watch for further details on how any toll or fee system would be implemented and enforced.
The reported involvement of China in seeking special status also suggests that the situation could have wider implications for how different flag states or trading partners are treated when transiting the strait. However, ShippingWatch’s report does not provide specifics on enforcement mechanisms, fee amounts, or which vessels might be affected, so the direct operational impact remains unclear at this stage.
This development adds to a series of recent reports concerning chokepoint fees and control in the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz regions, underscoring the importance of continued monitoring for those with exposure to these transit routes.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: ShippingWatch
