TRANSITS through the Red Sea chokepoints remain largely unchanged two weeks after the Houthis announced a partial stop to their attacks on merchant shipping.

There were 200 transits*, equating to 14.3m dwt, through the Suez Canal last week and 225 passings, equating to 14m dwt, through the Bab el Mandeb, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence vessel-tracking data.

These volumes are in line with the levels seen during the past 11 months with traffic having largely stabilised after an initial Red Sea exodus.

Suez Canal Authority chairman Admiral Osama Rabie said during a call with Maersk chief executive Vincent Clerc that the improving situation in the Red Sea should be factored into navigation decisions.

“The positive indicators witnessed by the Red Sea region should be taken into consideration when developing navigation plans and schedules during the coming period,” Rabie said at the meeting.

Analysis of Bab el Mandeb transits show some shipowners and operators have been sufficiently reassured by the Houthi’s statements they are no longer targets.

Of the 225 ships that sailed through the Bab el Mandeb last week, 16 appear to be routing back to the chokepoint having diverted when the security situation deteriorated.

Another 15 vessels were making their first voyage via the strait having no history of such transits during the past two years.

*Only cargo-carrying vessels over 10,000 dwt (those most likely to be internationally trading) considered for this analysis.