Since August 2024, the number of ships in the Red Sea has grown by 60%, and it currently stands at 36 to 37 ships every day. The commander of the EU’s Aspides naval operation, despite the recovery, volumes are still well below pre-crisis levels. Truce agreement between the US and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement, as well as a decrease in Houthi drone and missile assaults, were the reasons behind the increase of merchant ships via the Bab Al-Mandab Strait.
Prior to the start of the Houthi attacks in November 2023 in retaliation for Israel’s war in Gaza, shipping volumes had averaged 72 to 75 ships per day; however, they had fallen to just 20 to 23 ships per day in August. Despite the noteworthy rebound, maritime traffic is still far lower than it was before the conflict, according to experts. The most recent attack on a commercial ship was in November 2024.
The Houthis have since limited their targets to ships with ties to Israel or those that have docked at Israeli ports in the past. The Aspides mission has closely protected over 450 ships since it was deployed. However, uncertainty has persisted regarding shipping via the Red Sea despite the relative calm.
After more than 17 months, US President Donald Trump announced last month that the Red Sea shipping issue was coming to a conclusion. He asserted that Washington would cease its operations on the rebel group in exchange for the Houthis ceasing their attacks on shipping. Major international shipping lines are still wary, though, and the Houthis are still making bold statements. Resuming regular transits via the Red Sea is still too early, according to the majority of operators during recent earnings calls.
