Yemen’s Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC) on Saturday dismissed reports that commercial vessels would be charged fees for passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, stressing that no such policy has been approved. The statement came after a Reuters report claimed that the Houthis were considering imposing transit charges on ships using the southern Red Sea route following their announcement of a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia.
According to Reuters, regional sources said the proposal was discussed with Iranian officials during a July visit by Houthi representatives to Tehran, although no implementation timeline had been agreed upon. Rejecting the claims, the HOCC clarified that its safe transit service remains entirely voluntary and free of cost. It emphasized that no individual or organization is authorized to collect money on behalf of Yemen or the coordination center for passage through the strategic waterway. The agency also advised international shipping companies to ignore unauthorized payment demands and avoid sharing information with individuals falsely claiming official authority.
