DID Press: A maritime analytics firm says 22 Chinese-flagged or Chinese-owned vessels have safely transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait over the past 14 days, reaching Saudi ports without incident despite Yemen’s declared maritime blockade.
According to maritime data company Windward, the vessels passed through the strategic waterway and docked safely in Saudi Arabia. The report comes after Yemeni authorities announced a maritime blockade targeting Saudi Arabia on 20 July.
Windward’s analysis indicates that average daily vessel traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait has fallen from around 30 ships to 18 since the blockade was announced, highlighting a significant decline in commercial shipping activity.
The company also estimates that at least eight Saudi-linked oil tankers altered their routes and returned to their ports of origin during the same period.
A Lloyd’s List analyst said Chinese vessels appear to enjoy “relative safe passage” in waters controlled by Yemen, adding that transit permissions are reportedly granted on a case-by-case basis.