The Iranian cargo ship “Golsan” has passed through the Bab el-Mandab Strait with Djiboutian coast guard on Tuesday.
Coastal service members, who spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat under the conditions of anonymity, described the situation as calm but cautious.
In another incident, the Chinese cargo ship “LINHAI 1” traveled through the strait with armed guards onboard, a precaution against recent Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea.
Meanwhile, Houthi rebels launched missile attacks on two British and American ships, causing concern for international trade as the usually busy passage was nearly empty, except for the Golsan.
Col. Issa Omar Bakri, head of the Djiboutian coast guard, confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that they’ve been aiding and securing many ships passing through the Bab el-Mandab Strait lately.
He mentioned that some ships damaged in Red Sea attacks were repaired in Djibouti and continued their journeys safely.
The Bab el-Mandab Strait, controlled by Yemen and Djibouti, is a crucial global passage connecting the Red Sea to the Arabian Sea and beyond.
This 30-kilometer strait is divided by Yemen’s Perim Island into two channels: the smaller Alexandrian Channel along Yemen’s coast and the larger Mayyun Channel near Africa.
It’s a vital trade route, with about 10% of global shipping passing through.
Moreover, Bab el-Mandab ranks third in energy resource transit after the Malacca and Hormuz Straits.
Amid Houthi attacks on shipping, Asharq Al-Awsat is considered the only media outlet reaching the strait from the west.
Setting Sail
As the dawn call to prayer sounded from the Hamoudi Mosque, one of Djibouti's oldest, Asharq Al-Awsat made its way to the port in the cool morning air, the temperature a comfortable 24 degrees Celsius.
After all preparations were done, two powerful 3000-horsepower engines roared to life at exactly 6 a.m., propelling the crew towards the Bab el-Mandab Strait. The trip takes about three hours each way, cruising at 26 knots, covering over 12 nautical miles.
Djibouti’s ports are bustling with merchant ships and tankers, some unloading goods from Asia, while others seek refuge here due to security concerns. Over 21,000 ships pass through the strait annually, carrying more than 6 million barrels of crude oil daily.
During the journey, Asharq Al-Awsat passed by Maskali Island, known for its tourist spots. Marine signs guide ships to Djibouti’s ports, ensuring safe navigation through these busy waters.
Obock, Djibouti's Coastal Hub
On the way to Bab el-Mandab, Asharq Al-Awsat briefly stopped at the port city of Obock. Several ships were unloading cargo, likely from nearby Yemeni ports like Mokha. These journeys on somewhat old ships usually take about four hours by sea.
Obock’s close proximity to Yemen’s waters makes it a hotspot for smugglers ferrying migrants to Yemen and beyond to Saudi Arabia. As a result, Djibouti’s coast guard patrols are particularly active in this area.
According to coast guard officials, patrols in the Bab el-Mandab often start from Obock port due to its strategic location, either to monitor smuggling or assist ships in need.
Armed Guards on Ships
Continuing our journey, radar screens showed a Chinese cargo ship, LINHAI 1, arriving from the Red Sea headed towards Djibouti’s ports.
Notably, the ship’s data revealed it had armed guards onboard, indicating the tense situation in the region.
According to maritime records, the vessel, sailing under China’s flag, docked at Djibouti’s ports on Feb. 6.
It measures 159 meters in length, 25 meters in width, and was built in 2011, en route to the Arabian Sea.
Closing the Bab el-Mandab strait is turning into a commercial nightmare for passing ships, adding an extra 6,000 nautical miles to their journey and increasing shipping and insurance costs.
