Red Sea Shipping Security
Saudi Arabia and Egypt Call for Secure Red Sea Shipping Amid Regional Threats
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Key Points
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The Bab el-Mandeb is part of the shortest maritime route between Asia and Europe, with an estimated 12% of global trade passing through the Red Sea corridor. The strait lies between Yemen and Djibouti and Eritrea and is especially important to Egypt because ships must pass through it before reaching the Suez Canal from Asia.
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The disruption has imposed a substantial financial cost on Egypt: President Sisi said in March 2025 that the shipping crisis was costing the country about $800 million per month, after an estimated $7 billion loss in Suez Canal revenue during 2024. Although revenue later recovered 23% to about $4.67 billion in the 2025/26 financial year, it remained below the $8.75 billion recorded in 2022/23.
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The leaders’ statement also stressed the importance of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, in addition to the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb, underscoring the vulnerability of Saudi oil-export routes to threats at both major regional maritime chokepoints.
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Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed that the Saudi F-15 was targeted while conducting what he called “hostile operations” in support of Saudi military mobilization in Marib, and alleged that Saudi Arabia had carried out 450 airstrikes against Houthi positions.
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The Houthis have declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia and threatened Saudi-linked shipping in the Red Sea, according to the Kurdistan24 report, adding a direct threat to commercial vessels beyond the broader concern over regional instability.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met in Cairo to demand safe shipping through the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Xinhua reported that the talks came as Houthi forces renewed attacks on Saudi Arabia and tightened control over key maritime routes. The disruptions have forced ships to reroute around Africa, costing Egypt an estimated $800 million per month in lost Suez Canal revenue.
About 12% of global trade flows through the Red Sea corridor, making it one of the world's most critical shipping lanes. IJR noted that Houthi forces have captured much of Yemen's Red Sea coast and islands near Bab el-Mandeb, directly threatening commercial vessels and raising regional tensions. The situation threatens both Saudi oil exports and the emerging recovery in international shipping traffic.
Houthis Declare Maritime Blockade Against Saudi Arabia
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed the group shot down a Saudi F-15 jet over Marib using a locally made air-to-air missile. Saree said the jet was conducting "hostile operations" in support of Saudi military mobilization. However, Saudi authorities have not confirmed the claim, and independent verification remains pending.
The Houthis have declared an outright maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia and threatened all Saudi-linked shipping in the Red Sea. Kurdistan24 reported that this blockade extends beyond regional concerns and poses a direct threat to commercial vessels operating in the corridor. Saree also alleged Saudi Arabia carried out 450 airstrikes against Houthi positions.
Egypt Faces Mounting Financial Losses From Shipping Crisis
President Sisi confirmed that the Red Sea disruptions are costing Egypt roughly $800 million per month in lost Suez Canal revenue. The country lost an estimated $7 billion in canal income during 2024 as ships avoided the route entirely. Although revenue rebounded 23% to $4.67 billion in the 2025/26 financial year, it still falls short of the $8.75 billion recorded in 2022/23.
Multiple Shipping Chokepoints Threaten Saudi Oil Routes
The leaders' statement highlighted risks at both the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea corridor. Both waterways are essential to Saudi Arabia's ability to export oil. Xinhua reported that growing tensions across the Middle East are putting pressure on Saudi Arabia, one of the world's largest oil exporters, and rattling global energy markets. Control of these routes gives regional actors significant leverage over global energy supplies.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait lies between Yemen and Djibouti-Eritrea and represents the shortest maritime route between Asia and Europe. Ships must pass through this narrow waterway before reaching the Suez Canal from Asia. Houthi advances near the strait have raised alarms about whether global trade can continue flowing freely through one of the world's busiest shipping corridors.
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