Continued Houthi attacks raise Red Sea shipping risk and sustain rerouting around Africa

On 13 October 2026, maritime intelligence and regional briefings reported ongoing Houthi-linked missile, drone and other attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, with commercial lines continuing to route many container voyages around the Cape of Good Hope rather than transiting the Bab el-Mandeb/Suez corridor.

Sustained attacks around the Bab el-Mandeb raise war-risk insurance and add voyage time for Asia–Europe container services that previously used the Suez route. Higher insurance and longer voyages increase shipping costs and freight rates, and reduce Suez Canal fee revenue for Egypt; Djibouti and adjacent African ports face continued pressure from diverted traffic and humanitarian access constraints.

UKMTO/JMIC and major container lines' routing guidance or a declaration of a durable halt to attacks within 14 days.