Houthis consider establishing tolls for Red Sea passage

August 1 ------ Yemen’s Houthi group is considering imposing fees on commercial vessels sailing through the southern Red Sea, regional sources familiar with the matter told Reuters, in a move that could further disrupt a key global maritime route.

The Iran-aligned group is reportedly examining plans to charge ships passing through the Bab el-Mandeb strait, which links the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, following its declaration of a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia on July 20. The move would expand pressure on U.S. allies and extend maritime tensions beyond the Gulf region.

According to sources cited by Reuters, Houthi representatives discussed the possibility of introducing transit fees during a July visit to Iran for the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "Any imposition of transit charges and tolls on international shipping will seriously disrupt the long established and well operated world trade supply system which is already strained by recent geopolitical instability," said Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping, Thomas A. Kazakos, stressing that freedom of navigation is not an abstract principle. It is a fundamental part of a system that allows ships to trade safely, enables essential goods and energy supplies to move, and supports economies and communities around the world.

Iranian advisers were also reportedly involved in discussions on establishing a potential authority to regulate fees through the strategic waterway. The proposed system would aim to increase pressure on the United States and establish a practice of charging vessels for passage through international waterways, sources said. Chinese vessels would reportedly be exempt from the fees, following talks between Beijing and the Houthis aimed at allowing Chinese tankers to continue sailing through the Red Sea without being targeted.

The potential move is expected to face opposition from Gulf and European countries, while Western diplomats told Reuters that international naval forces are currently unable to provide sufficient protection for merchant shipping in the region.

The Bab el-Mandeb is a vital trade route, particularly for Saudi Arabia, as its closure would remove a key alternative to the Strait of Hormuz and heighten concerns over potential oil supply disruptions. Red Sea traffic has not fully recovered since Houthi attacks on merchant ships began in November 2023.

The Houthis were previously accused of collecting payments from some shipping agencies for safe passage during their maritime campaign in 2024. A 2024 UN Panel of Experts report cited allegations that such fees could have reached up to $180 million per month, although the figures could not be independently verified, Reuters notes.

Source: safety4sea.com