Renewed Houthi attacks keep Red Sea / Suez route security risk elevated (13 Oct 2026)

As of 13 October 2026 multiple maritime advisories and conflict monitors report renewed Houthi missile, drone and naval attacks on commercial shipping and nearby Saudi targets, keeping the southern Red Sea and Bab el‑Mandeb transit risk elevated and prompting continued high war‑risk insurance and rerouting of some container traffic.

The renewed campaign keeps a premium on war‑risk insurance and sustains incentives for container lines to avoid the Suez–Red Sea route, increasing voyage times and freight costs for Asia–Europe trade. The shock is conditional: further regional escalation (Iran–Israel/US) or direct damage to Gulf export infrastructure would widen market effects; a durable pause would reverse them.

Watch for updated UKMTO/Joint Maritime advisories, major carrier route decisions, and any confirmed damage to Gulf export terminals within 30 days.