Houthis Clarify No Plans to Impose Tolls on Red Sea Shipping

Yemen’s Houthi movement has said it has no plans to impose tolls on commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea. In a statement issued on Saturday, the group’s Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC) said that passage through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait will remain free of charge.

The Houthis also warned that anyone demanding payment for transit through the strategic waterway is not acting on behalf of either the Yemeni government or the Houthi administration. They urged shipping companies not to provide money or sensitive information to any unauthorized individuals or groups.

Earlier, a Reuters report said the Houthis were considering imposing transit fees on ships using the Bab al-Mandeb Strait following their announcement of a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia.

The Bab al-Mandeb Strait is one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes. Amid growing security concerns in the region, Saudi Arabia has announced the formation of a multinational maritime coalition comprising 14 countries, including Bangladesh. The alliance aims to safeguard commercial shipping through the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden.