First LNG Carrier in Five Months Passes through Bab-el-Mandeb Strait as Houthi Threat Eases

Liquid natural gas producers have been avoiding the Red Sea for much of 2024 amid continuous attacks by Houthi militants. This may now be changing as the first LNG carrier in five months has passed through the Bab-el-Mandeb chokepoint at the southern terminus of the Red Sea. 

The 148,173-cbm vessel Salalah LNG traveled through the strait late on February 8. Its destination is currently unknown based on AIS information. The Omani-owned vessel departed from the country’s Qalhat LNG Terminal on February 5. 

Following the recent cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, Yemen’s Houthi movement announced a halt to attacks on non-Israeli vessels. They also released the 25-person crew of the car carrier Galaxy Leader a…