Red Sea captains email Houthis for transit approval
Ship operators increasingly seek written permission from the group's coordination center to navigate the Bab al-Mandab Strait safely.
By Ricardo Alvarez ·
Maritime traffic through the Bab al-Mandab Strait has changed as ship captains began emailing the Iran-backed Houthi group directly to secure safe passage. The practice, detailed in a Wall Street Journal report published Friday, has become a standard operational step for vessels moving through the chokepoint.
The shift followed a Houthi declaration in July that imposed a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia. Although the group previously stated that ships with no ties to the United States, the United Kingdom, or Israel could pass, many operators now seek explicit written assurances before proceeding. The correspondence is sent to the Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center, an administrative body the Houthis established in early 2024 to manage maritime applications.
Emails reviewed by the Wall Street Journal show that vessels typically state that neither the ship nor its crew has connections to the three targeted nations. The messages also include estimated schedules and a pledge to follow the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. According to crew members and internal communications cited in the report, the Houthis generally respond to these inquiries within 24 hours. If authorization is granted, the group provides specific instructions for the vessel's journey.
In one documented case, the Houthis issued a one-week transit permit to the Chinese containership Zhong Cheng Chang Ling. The authorization required the vessel to keep its Automatic Identification System operational throughout the passage, ensuring its identity, position, speed, and destination were broadcast to other vessels and coastal authorities. The ship was also instructed to maintain operation on VHF Channel 16, the international marine radio frequency used for distress calls.
The email concluded with an invitation for the ship to call the coordination center's hotline if necessary and to subscribe to their email alert service for updates. While international maritime authorities have officially advised vessels to avoid engaging with the coordination center to maintain neutrality, many captains contact the group as an extra precaution.
The captain of the Zhong Cheng Chang Ling told the Wall Street Journal that his ship's management directed him to reach out to the Houthis. This decision illustrates the growing tension between official recommendations and the practical risks operators face in the region.
