The Yemeni Houthi militia has captured the island of Mayyun in the Bab al-Mandab Strait. According to an assessment by the VDR, these territorial gains are further exacerbating the security situation in the Red Sea.
For months, the Houthis, who are allied with Iran, had remained largely inactive. In recent weeks, however, events have come thick and fast: the militia has carried out attacks on Saudi Arabia and has also resumed attacking merchant ships in the Red Sea. The Houthis have now made a particularly dangerous advance by capturing the island of Mayyun, also known as Perim. The small island lies in the south of the Red Sea in the Bab al-Mandab Strait. As reported by Tagesschau, the militia now controls the entire Red Sea coastline in Yemen.
For shipping, this further exacerbates the already tense situation in the region. Ships that continue to use the route through the strait are exposed to considerable risk, whilst for shipping companies currently bypassing the area, a return to the shorter trade routes is receding even further into the distance.
The Red Sea and the Suez Canal connect Asia and Europe via the shortest sea route that is navigable all year round. In addition to oil and other energy sources, goods such as electronics, food and medicines are also transported via this route. “The security of this sea route is of enormous importance for the supply of goods to Germany and Europe,” said Martin Kröger, Chief Executive of the German Shipowners’ Association (VDR).
The threat posed by the Houthis to shipping has become apparent on several occasions in recent years. The militia has attacked several merchant ships and sunk some of them. As a result, many shipping companies are willing to take the detour via the Cape of Good Hope. This can extend journey times by up to two weeks – leading to higher costs, increased fuel consumption and higher CO₂ emissions.
As the VDR explained, following the Strait of Hormuz, there is a risk of further escalation at a bottleneck that is vital for Europe. Disruptions at the Bab al-Mandab could delay deliveries, lead to shortages of essential goods and raw materials, and drive up prices. This affects not only the economy but also the daily lives of all Europeans. Merchant ships and their crews must not, under any circumstances, be held hostage to geopolitical conflicts. “Freedom of navigation is non-negotiable: anyone who threatens the Bab al-Mandab is attacking a lifeline of global trade,” said Kröger.
