On September 20, a vessel was attacked near Aden in an incident attributed to Houthi rebels. While traffic through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden continues, the episode highlights the ongoing security risks for vessels transiting this key route.

Such instability raises the prospect of higher insurance premiums, operational delays, and in some cases rerouting via the Cape of Good Hope. These outcomes extend voyage times and add to tonne-mile demand, reinforcing pressure on global shipping markets.