🌍The Bar Al Mandab is a major maritime choke point handling 12% of world trade.
⚠️The Bar Al Mandab is also one of the most dangerous shipping areas, with recent attacks by the Houthis.
🚢Avoiding the Bar Al Mandab means taking a longer route around the cape of good hope.
💰Alternative routes are more expensive and result in higher prices for businesses.
🔒Security measures, including working with allied militaries, are being implemented to ensure safe passage.
Why is the Bar Al Mandab considered a dangerous shipping area?
—The Bar Al Mandab has been the target of recent attacks by the Houthis, an Iran-backed militant group, leading to concerns about the safety of vessels passing through.
What are the consequences of avoiding the Bar Al Mandab?
—Avoiding the Bar Al Mandab means taking a longer route around the cape of good hope, resulting in increased travel time, fuel costs, and higher prices for businesses.
How are shipping companies enhancing security measures?
—Shipping companies are implementing measures such as turning off signals, changing destination signals to indicate the presence of armed guards, and seeking advice from security analysts on dealing with drone attacks.
What role do allied militaries play in ensuring safe passage?
—Allied militaries, including the US-led multinational task force, are escorting vessels and providing protection against attacks in the Bar Al Mandab.
What are the potential solutions to the challenges in the waterway?
—Potential solutions include a more forceful military response to degrade the capabilities of the Houthis, as well as diplomatic negotiations to end the civil war in Yemen and halt attacks in the Red Sea.
00:00The Bar Al Mandab, also known as the Gate of Tears, is a strait that vessels must pass through to reach the Suez Canal.
00:06The Suez Canal handles about 12% of world trade and is a major maritime choke point.
00:15Recent attacks by the Houthis have made the Bar Al Mandab one of the most dangerous shipping areas.
00:33Avoiding the Bar Al Mandab means taking a longer route around the cape of good hope, which is costly and time-consuming.
01:19The Houthis have targeted merchant vessels in the Bar Al Mandab.
01:25A dramatic hijacking of a cargo ship by armed militants in the Red Sea.
03:39Vessels are trying to remain undetected by turning off their signals.
04:11Seeking help from allied militaries for safe passage through the waterway.
