by Lloyd's List

1 May 2025 (Lloyd's List) - TRAFFIC through the Red Sea’s beleaguered international shipping lane remains within the “new normal” range after transits through its two chokepoints fell in April.

Over the course of last month, 979 cargo-carrying ships sailed through the Bab el Mandeb, down 4% from the 1,018 recorded in March, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence data.

While activity has slowed, nearly the same volume transited the Bab el Mandeb when assessing by the sum by dwt.

Liquefied petroleum gas carrier transits halved in April after passings saw a brief recovery during February and March.

Vehicle carriers, which have been among the most inactive users of the Bab el Mandeb during the Houthi’s campaign of aggression, experienced an unusual jump in transits last month.

Some 12 vehicle carriers transited the Bab el Mandeb in April, up from eight in March. This is the highest number recorded since April 2024.

The Suez Canal also saw traffic volumes slow in April with transits decreasing 7% from 925 to 863.

Activity fell across nearly every important sector, with the exception of gas carriers.

April transits through the Bab el Mandeb and Suez Canal are higher than the monthly average recorded over the past six months but remain within the “new normal” range.

The Houthis have not attempted to attack commercial shipping since December.

Vessels continue to be at risk though, and the threat of collateral damage from missiles, drones and debris is high as the US navy continues to strike Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and the Houthis retaliate to these strikes, says the Joint Maritime Information Center.