CNA Explains: With the Houthis' Red Sea threat, is the world running out of detours?

Global supply chains are facing mounting pressure as Houthi rebels in Yemen threaten to block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital maritime chokepoint. Analysts warn that a simultaneous disruption of this strait and the Strait of Hormuz could severely impact international trade.

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, is a critical artery for global commerce, with approximately 12 percent of world trade and a quarter of container traffic passing through it en route to the Suez Canal. It is also essential for energy exports, particularly from Saudi Arabia's Red Sea ports.

The Houthi threat follows a series of escalating attacks and is described by the rebels as retaliation for Saudi actions against infrastructure in Houthi-controlled areas. Their past actions in the Red Sea have already demonstrated a significant disruptive capability.

Recent data highlights the growing importance of routes like the one through Yanbu, a Saudi port on the Red Sea, which has seen a substantial increase in oil shipments. However, with the current Houthi threats, these rerouting options are now themselves vulnerable, testing the resilience of global trade systems that have adapted to previous shocks.

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With recent Houthi threats in the Red Sea, more and more barrels will be halted. The route being used for rerouting is also vulnerable now.