Bab Al Mandeb and Hormuz ship transits plunge as war intensifies

Ship traffic through the Bab Al Mandeb strait and the Strait of Hormuz has significantly decreased due to ongoing conflicts, according to recent data from Kpler. As of Thursday, only six vessels crossed the Bab Al Mandeb, down from 30 on Wednesday and 26 on Tuesday, while only two ships transited the Strait of Hormuz, down from 12 on Tuesday and 20 on Monday.

The Houthis have taken control of the key port city of Mokha in Yemen, which has caused the strait to become a critical chokepoint for oil exports from Saudi Arabia. The US and Iran have been intensifying attacks on tankers in the Arabian Gulf, with US Central Command claiming to have destroyed five Iranian crude oil carriers. The conflict has caused oil prices to surge past $100 per barrel for the first time since July, with Brent crude trading at $103.80 per barrel and WTI at $98.89 per barrel.

Over 73 confirmed vessel attacks have been recorded by the International Maritime Organisation since the conflict began, with 21 seafarer deaths.