The Indicator from Planet Money · Thursday, September 17, 2026
Control of Bahrain Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait by the Houthis poses a significant threat to global maritime trade, which normally sees 15% of seaborne goods pass through the Red Sea. This includes 30% of global container trade and 12% of oil traded by sea. The Houthis' actions have already caused Red Sea traffic to slow, and the capture of this island could halt it entirely.
“In normal, unturbulent times, almost 15% of the global seaborne trade passes through the Red Sea.”
“That includes 30% of the world's container trade, 12% of the world's oil traded by sea, and 8% of the world's liquefied natural gas.”
“Red Sea traffic has already slowed down, thanks to those Houthi attacks on shipping prior to the war with Iran.”