Preliminary Kpler data reported by The National on Saturday show ship crossings through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait fell to 15 on Friday from 30 the prior day, roughly halving traffic. Of Friday’s 15 crossings, six vessels exited the Red Sea and nine entered, according to the same report. Laden ships carried crude, grains, and steel, while three vessels sailed in ballast.
The drop is an update on Bab el-Mandeb traffic after Houthis seized strategic Perim Island, also known as Mayyun, and held coastal Mokha and Dhubab, positions that improve monitoring of vessels entering or leaving the Red Sea toward Suez. Halved traffic is not a full strait closure; 15 crossings still moved Friday.
Huax founder Arsenio Longo told The National that Mocha helps approaches but that Dhubab and Perim matter more for shipping. The Kpler tally is labeled preliminary and is not Cedar-scraped AIS.
Sources: The National (preliminary Kpler: 15 Fri vs 30 prior day; 6 out/9 in; crude/grains/steel; 3 ballast; Perim/Mokha/Dhubab; Longo); UA.NEWS republish of The National (same 15/30 mix); prior Perim-reach coverage (handoff only).
