Key facts
- Yemen's Houthi group denied reports of plans to impose tolls on ships transiting the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
- The Houthi-run Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC) stated that passage through the strait remains free.
- The HOCC clarified that its Safe Transit Service is voluntary and provided at no cost.
- The HOCC urged shipping companies to avoid making payments to unauthorized individuals or entities.
- Previous reports cited regional sources claiming the Houthis were considering imposing fees on commercial ships.
Yemen's Houthi group denied reports of plans to impose tolls on vessels transiting the Bab el-Mandeb strait, stating that passage through the strategic waterway remains free. The Houthi-run Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC) issued a statement on Saturday to clarify that no such decision had been taken and that its Safe Transit Service is voluntary and cost-free.
The HOCC urged shipping companies not to make any payments or provide any information to unauthorized individuals or entities. This statement follows a Reuters report citing regional sources that the Iran-aligned Houthis were considering imposing fees on ships transiting the southern Red Sea, a week after declaring a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia.