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The Houthi movement in Yemen has rejected recent reports that it intends to impose a fee on ships passing through the Bab el‑Mandeb Strait, an important waterway linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Houthi officials deny toll plans
The Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center, or HOCC, issued a statement saying the organization “categorically denies the accuracy of these claims” and that it has not taken any decision to charge fees for transits. The statement added that “transit through the Bab al‑Mandab Strait is free of charge.”
Earlier last week, media outlets reported that the group might follow a model similar to Iran’s effort in the Strait of Hormuz, where a toll would be levied in exchange for security guarantees. It has not provided any documentation to support the alleged plan.
Blockade and “Safe Transit Service”
Since November, the organization has announced a blockade targeting Saudi Arabian ports after a recent attack on Sana’a’s airport. The blockade has included attacks on Saudi‑flagged tankers heading for the Bab el‑Mandeb. In response, they said they are offering a “Safe Transit Service” that would confirm safe passage through the Red Sea, Bab el‑Mandeb, the Gulf of Aden, and the Arabian Sea. Requests are to be sent by email, with a response promised “within a few hours.”
The HOCC warned that any individual or entity seeking payment for passage does not represent the Republic of Yemen or the coordination center. The statement emphasized that the organization does not endorse or recognize any such demands.
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Shipping analysts note that the region already faces heightened security risks, with private security firms and naval patrols working to protect commercial vessels. Their new service could create additional bureaucratic steps for ship owners already handling a challenging environment.
For crews and operators, the practical impact of the “Safe Transit Service” may be limited. Even if the service is offered, vessels still must contend with the threat of missile strikes, mines, and broader geopolitical tensions that have made the Bab el‑Mandeb a flashpoint for years.
Overall, the denial suggests they are trying to avoid further international backlash while maintaining leverage over maritime traffic. This stance may also be aimed at preserving revenue from other channels, such as the extortion of vessels that have already entered the blockade zone.
As the situation develops, the International Maritime Organization continues to monitor the area, urging ships to follow recommended routing measures and to stay in contact with naval forces operating in the region.
Ships remain on high alert.
