Houthi Attacks Choke Red Sea Shipping

Shipping in the Red Sea slowed down significantly on Sunday after Yemen's Houthi rebels attacked Saudi oil installations along the coast. According to shipping data from Kpler, only 11 commodity vessels passed through the Bab el-Mandeb strait that day, which is the lowest level in months.

The disruption has been ongoing since last week, with the Houthis attempting to blockade Saudi exports and expand the US-Iran conflict that has already choked oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz. On Sunday, seven vessels passed through the strait, including three oil tankers heading to the port of Yanbu to load Saudi crude.

Four vessels exited the Red Sea on Sunday, while another ship is still in transit through the Bab el-Mandeb strait. The traffic slowdown has also affected the Strait of Hormuz, where fewer than 10 commodity vessels passed through daily over the weekend.