Houthi attacks keep Bab el-Mandeb and southern Red Sea at elevated risk, forcing continued rerouting

As of 26–27 October 2026, reporting shows Bab el-Mandeb and the southern Red Sea remain disrupted by Houthi missile/drone activity and Saudi–Houthi exchanges, sustaining higher war-risk premia and continued diversion of much container and tanker traffic around the Cape of Good Hope, prolonging voyage times and raising insurance costs.

Continued disruption in the Bab el-Mandeb raises shipping insurance and route costs and keeps container lines and some tankers rerouting via the Cape, lengthening Asia–Europe voyages by 10–14 days. African trade hubs that handle rerouted cargoes (notably Djibouti/Doraleh) face higher throughput and logistical strain. The exact effect on freight rates and sovereign FX depends on the duration and any escalation to confirmed merchant-ship attacks.

UKMTO or major operator confirmation of a named commercial-vessel attack or a formal notice closing Bab el-Mandeb.