Red Sea traffic slows under seasonal challenges and increased security risk
- According to Lloyd’s List Intelligence data, traffic fell by 2% through the Bab el Mandeb last month and 7% in Suez compared to December 2025
- Despite the drop, both Bab el Mandeb and Suez are busier today than a year ago, with shipping companies eager to test the water
- Seasonal challenges, market conditions and the increased security risks in the region have played a role in lower transits
Red Sea traffic fell for a second month in January as seasonal softness combined with rising geopolitical tension, pushing Suez and Bab el‑Mandeb volumes lower. Bulk and tanker activity weakened, but containership transits have slightly increased, highlighting a fragile, uneven recovery still constrained by volatile security conditions
