Suez Canal sees gradual return of shipping traffic amid Red Sea tensions

Suez Canal shipping routes Houthi blockade maritime security tanker industry

Shipping traffic is seeing a gradual shift as more vessels reconsider routes through the Red Sea, leading to a partial return to the Suez Canal and a reduction in the use of the Cape of Good Hope route. This trend affects both container ships and tankers, though the return is not yet universal.

Tanker route selection is heavily influenced by vessel profiles and commercial ties. Vessels with Saudi Arabian interests are more exposed to Houthi threats due to ownership, management, or commercial activity in Saudi ports. Since the Houthis announced a naval blockade against Saudi-linked ships on July 20, 2026, eight Saudi-interest tankers have been targeted.

In contrast, China has established a communication channel with the Houthis to facilitate the safe passage of Chinese tankers. Data from maritime security firms shows that daily transits through Bab el-Mandeb have dropped to between 30 and 33, down from approximately 47 before July 20. Meanwhile, tanker transits through the Suez Canal have increased by about 27%.

Entities

Bab el-Mandeb · China · Houthis · Saudi Arabia · Suez Canal

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 5 SOURCES] China has established a communication channel with the Houthis to ensure the safe passage of Chinese tankers. www.businessdaily.gr · www.economix.gr · www.capital.gr · www.emakedonia.gr · www.sofokleousin.gr
[● 5 SOURCES] Daily transits through Bab el-Mandeb have decreased to 30-33 from approximately 47 prior to July 20. www.businessdaily.gr · www.economix.gr · www.capital.gr · www.emakedonia.gr · www.sofokleousin.gr
[● 5 SOURCES] The Houthis announced a special naval blockade against ships connected to Saudi Arabia on July 20, 2026. www.businessdaily.gr · www.economix.gr · www.capital.gr · www.emakedonia.gr · www.sofokleousin.gr
[● 5 SOURCES] Tanker transits through the Suez Canal have increased by approximately 27%. www.businessdaily.gr · www.economix.gr · www.capital.gr · www.emakedonia.gr · www.sofokleousin.gr
[● 5 SOURCES] Eight tankers with Saudi interests have been targeted since the blockade announcement. www.businessdaily.gr · www.economix.gr · www.capital.gr · www.emakedonia.gr · www.sofokleousin.gr