The New Giant, a supertanker carrying approximately 2 million barrels of Basrah crude from Iraq, was the sole vessel to navigate the chokepoint, according to vessel-tracking data from Kpler. No inbound traffic entered the Persian Gulf on the same day, signaling a sudden freeze in regional shipping activity.

While traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait remains relatively active, the shadow of Houthi attacks continues to disrupt supply chains. To mitigate risks, some operators are diverting vessels toward the Suez Canal, adding weeks to delivery times for Asian markets. Saudi Aramco has responded by shifting crude loadings to the Mediterranean port of Sidi Kerir. Analysts at ING warn that the combination of threats against Iran and persistent maritime attacks creates a precarious environment for global oil supply stability.