Houthis Deny Plans to Charge Fees for Red Sea Ship Transit

Yemen's Houthi-run maritime coordination body denied on Saturday that it planned to impose fees on commercial ships transiting the Bab el-Mandeb strait. The Houthi-run Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC) stated that no such decision had been taken and that passage through the strategic waterway remained free. The HOCC further described its safe transit service as a voluntary and cost-free service.

This denial follows a Reuters report from July 29 which cited regional sources claiming the Iran-aligned Houthis were considering imposing fees on ships sailing through the southern Red Sea. According to those sources, the proposal was discussed with Iranian officials during a visit to Tehran by Houthi officials in July, though no implementation timeframe had been decided. The reported consideration of fees came one week after the group declared a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia.

In its statement, the HOCC categorically confirmed that any individual or entity requesting payment for transit does not represent the Republic of Yemen or the HOCC. The body urged shipping companies to avoid making payments or providing information to unauthorized individuals or entities.