Yemen's Houthis deny plans to impose fees on ships sailing through Red Sea

Yemen's Houthi-run maritime coordination body has denied reports that it plans to impose fees on commercial ships passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The Houthi-affiliated Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC) issued a statement asserting that no such decision has been made and that passage through the vital waterway remains free.

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The HOCC urges shipping companies not to make any payments or provide any information to unauthorized individuals or entities.

This denial follows a Reuters report citing regional sources who claimed the Iran-aligned Houthis were considering implementing fees on ships in the southern Red Sea. This consideration was reportedly discussed with Iranian officials during a July visit to Tehran by Houthi representatives, though no timeline for implementation was established. The HOCC's statement directly contradicts these reports, emphasizing that their "safe transit service was a voluntary and cost-free service."

The HOCC explicitly stated that any individual or entity demanding payment for passage through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait does not represent the Republic of Yemen or the HOCC. The center strongly advised shipping companies against making any payments or divulging information to unauthorized persons or groups.

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The HOCC categorically confirms that any individual or entity requesting the payment of money in exchange for transiting the Bab el-Mandeb strait does not represent the Republic of Yemen or HOCC in any capacity whatsoever.

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a critical maritime chokepoint, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. Control over this waterway holds significant strategic and economic importance. The Houthi movement, which controls much of Yemen's Red Sea coast, has previously engaged in actions affecting maritime traffic in the region.

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our safe transit service was a voluntary and cost-free service.