{
  "id": 18528869,
  "title": "Shippers wishing to cross Bab al-Mandab email Houthis for permits, sign up for alerts - report",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/shippers-wishing-to-cross-bab-al-mandab-email-houthis-for-permits",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-06T16:50:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-914072"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Shippers navigating the Bab al-Mandab Strait are reaching out to the Iran-backed Houthi terror group for transit permits via email, according to a Wall Street Journal report. While the Houthis have stated that non-US, UK, or Israeli vessels are permitted, the maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia in July has led to shippers emailing the terror group to confirm their safety. Emails are directed to the Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC), a Houthi-established entity formed in early 2024, which manages applications and relays the group's actions. Ship owners include their schedules and assure adherence to international collision prevention regulations when emailing the HOCC. The terror group typically responds within 24 hours, as reported by crew members and the WSJ. In one case, the Houthis issued a one-week permit to the Chinese container ship Zhong Cheng Chang Ling, requiring it to maintain its Automatic Identification System and VHF Channel 16 throughout transit. Despite international maritime authorities advising against engaging with the HOCC, some vessels subscribe to the HOCC email alert service for updates.",
  "summary": "Emails are sent to an administrative entity established by the Houthis in early 2024 called the Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center, which handles applications.",
  "key_points": [
    "Shippers email Houthi group for transit permits through HOCC.",
    "Houthis permit non-US, UK, Israeli vessels in Bab al-Mandab.",
    "Permit granted to Chinese ship with system and channel requirements."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}