Yemen’s Houthi-run maritime authority denied on Saturday that it plans to charge commercial ships for passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, saying transit “remains free of charge.” The Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC), which oversees vessel movement through the strait, said its safe-passage service is voluntary, and that anyone demanding payment “does not represent” Yemen or the HOCC, according to Al Jazeera.
The denial followed a Reuters report that regional sources said the Houthis discussed a fee plan with Iranian officials during a July visit to Tehran for the funeral of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iranian advisers are reportedly helping the Houthis set up a separate authority to regulate and collect the fees — distinct from the HOCC. The plan would reportedly exempt Chinese vessels, which Beijing has separately arranged safe passage for directly with the Houthis; sources told Reuters the initiative is intended to “normalize the practice” of charging for strategic waterways while pressuring the US and its allies. No timeline was given.
