Somalis rethink trade routes as Houthis disrupt established shipping channels

Somalia's business community is exploring alternative shipping routes due to escalating tensions and security concerns in the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Strait of Hormuz after the Iran-backed Houthis seized control of a key port city and an island. This has prompted thousands of Yemenis to flee to neighboring Djibouti. Traditionally, companies imported goods from Asia via Gulf nations like the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, but now some are opting for a more direct approach.

Mohamed Ali Nur, the director of Mogadishu Seaport, explained that the recent disruptions have had a negative impact on their operations, but they have taken steps to mitigate the consequences. For the first time, they successfully transported a ship carrying sugar directly from Sri Lanka, a move they believe could be a viable strategy in light of the ongoing tensions.

The prolonged conflict between Yemen's internationally recognized government and Saudi Arabia against the Houthis, which has lasted for 12 years, was recently broken following the reinitiation of hostilities. This has resulted in a significant increase in the number of people fleeing Yemen, with over 85,000 displaced since the start of the month, according to the International Organization for Migration.

Many of these refugees have reached Djibouti, a neighboring country to Somalia. Mogadishu's bustling seaport continues to unload food and other essential commodities, as Somalia heavily relies on maritime trade for a vast majority of its daily necessities. For ordinary Somali consumers, alterations in shipping routes may ultimately translate to higher transportation costs and delays in acquiring imported goods at local markets.

Capt Ali Jemdi, a Syrian ship captain who specializes in transporting sugar, expressed concerns about the region's instability, noting that the Bab el-Mandeb may also pose challenges for vessels navigating through it.