Yemen’s Houthis deny plan to charge ships transiting Red Sea

Yemen's Houthi rebels have officially denied any plans to charge vessels for passage through the Red Sea, asserting that the vital Bab al-Mandeb Strait remains a free waterway. The denial comes in response to a recent report suggesting the group was considering imposing transit fees.

The Houthi-run Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC), which manages vessel movements through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, issued a statement on Saturday clarifying that its "safe transit service" is voluntary and free. The center emphasized that any entity demanding payment for passage does not represent Yemen or the HOCC, urging shipping companies to disregard such demands and avoid sharing information with unauthorized parties.

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safe transit service

This statement directly counters a Reuters report from earlier in the week, which cited regional sources claiming the Iran-aligned Houthis were contemplating new fees. These sources suggested the idea was discussed with Iranian officials, with Iranian advisers reportedly assisting in establishing a regulatory authority for such fees. Such a move would significantly impact Saudi Arabia, which increasingly relies on the strait for exports amid disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Bab al-Mandeb Strait is a critical chokepoint connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, essential for global shipping routes between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The Houthis have previously engaged in actions affecting Red Sea shipping since late 2023, following the start of the Israel-Hamas war. In response to perceived threats to navigation, Saudi Arabia recently announced the formation of a 14-nation maritime coalition aimed at securing these vital waterways.

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anyone demanding payment for passage did not represent Yemen or the HOCC