Why This Shipping Route Is One of the World’s Most Dangerous | WSJ

The Red Sea is one of the most important shipping waterways in the world, but the Israel-Hamas War has helped it also become one of the most dangerous. The Bab-el Mandeb Strait, or the Gate of Tears, is a vital passageway for ships traveling through the Suez Canal, but recent attacks from Houthis are creating a major maritime choke point.
WSJ explains how the cargo industry is responding to try and guard against attacks from the Houthis in Yemen.
Chapters:
0:00 The Gate of Tears
0:54 Houthi attacks in Yemen
2:33 Defending against attacks
3:11 What’s next?
News Explainers
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#RedSea #Yemen #WSJ

[@customjuices]

So glad Stewie grew up and found a news voice over role.

[@Phlegethon]

Now I can’t unhear it

[@rody1247]

💀

[@jonasbaine3538]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@SumKnight-iw4rw]

😂😂😂

[@dannysjunkyard7634]

I'M DEAD 😂

[@muzaffarsoomro1123]

Thank you Yemen🇾🇪🇾🇪🇾🇪🇾🇪

[@ronkirk5099]

I'm glad I retired from Merchant Marine engineering before this route which our ship took many times became a war zone. The threat of attack by Somali pirates was worry enough.

[@caylia9989]

It is not your Sea to worry about , you have no permission to use these waters Terroists!!

[@georgekraus9357]

Many shipping companies should pitch in and hire mercenaries. Call them Pirates of the Red Sea, they'll be happy

[@presterjohn1697]

@@Brunel1859 Imagine if stopping the Palestinian Genocide made business sense?

[@presterjohn1697]

@@Brunel1859 Free the land that was taken in 1948. Your move...

[@reemsaif3105]

Somalia true hero's

[@jaferpatel7717]

At least somebody is standing up to these bullies. Good on you Yemen 🇾🇪

[@user-gd4ii6yf7b]

You support the houthis

[@ajipamgks]

Good job houthi👍 Love from indonesia 🇮🇩

[@Poobtato]

Supporting acts of terrorism…sure

[@Pasha_Sabbah]

@@PoobtatoNOT terrorism have a right to defend themselves and stand up for Palestinians 🇾🇪

[@elithompson4167]

@@Pasha_Sabbahhow is attacking shipping “standing up for themselves” Do you realize how many people have died in Yemen?

[@Kodakcompactdisc]

Egypt won’t be too happy losing out on all that business either.

[@DoeoHakim-bd6ww]

Go yemen go ❤❤❤ golden hearted human people of yemen ❤❤❤

[@scipioafricanus4875]

Informative thanks

[@wexqlp3863]

They look nothing like militants. They look like fully armed soldiers

[@eat_ze_bugs]

Because they are soldiers fighting against a corrupt government/regime. They are just not part of the Yemen military and they are not recognized by the current government of Yemen who is backed by Saudi Arabia, the US and its allies. There are no good guys in this conflict.

[@drugoviic]

soldiers can be considered militants

[@user-fo7ir6iy6o]

They are integrated soldiers and trainees

[@Mo-zb2dy]

Keep hiding the source of the issue - half the story just calls your integrity into question.

[@haridanxoxo751]

well done Yemen!! most brave country in the world

[@chuyenpham3336]

Thanks

[@1982kinger]

In the olden days the navy would protect merchant shipping

[@operator9858]

Ya but you know what they also used to say back then? 'A ships a fool to fight a fort.'

[@injectchen]

Would it be cheaper just pay surround countries for protection?

[@johnwaltersalas8601]

How about unmanned VLCC? Or let the oil producers buy their own VLCC's and let them deliver their goods to buyer countries.

[@MohamedAhmed-ms9eu]

The surrounding countries don't support Israel though. Why would brown Arabs protect white Israeli/European-owned ships that are carrying supplies to Israel that commit genocide against brown Arabs? Imagine a Russian ship carrying war supplies (oil, arms, misle parts) to Ukraine getting attacked in the Red Sea? Would you expect neighboring countries to defend it? @@injectchen

[@BeachSamuraiStudios]

@@operator9858 wat does that mean?

[@krengken4756]

Bravo Houtis.. Salute Sir

[@BloodyMoney]

They are getting embarrassed by this US who strikes them and they do nothing

[@aitchaitch]

your embarrassing yourself because you know nothing. the UK and US embarrassing themselves too, they wanted to save Israeli ships, now they can't even save their own ships. simply they just add insult to injury.

[@azmiam1972]

You are not telling the full story. The ships targeted by the Houthis are those which send supplies to Israel and recently ships to the US and the UK because they have chosen to be involved in protecting Israel’s genocide campaign against the civilians in Palestine. So, if the country or owner of the ship is not related to Israel, the US and the UK, why should they be worried?

[@user-jc4ih1kc2e]

نعم كلامك صحيح . شكراً لك من اليمن ❤❤❤❤❤

[@wildnites558]

Nice try but it was Hamas who started the “genocide campaign”, remember?

[@mjcastro82]

How is the camera on your phone better than the ones the military uses? Please investigate WSJ...

[@SebasL10]

Using such weaponry to a shipment is like wow

[@thomasgade226]

The islands of Zubair and Hanish may be good places to have cheap stationary radars to monitor the air and sea

[@Lunarmoonofficial_01]

Yemenis literally own the passage, but what do they get out of it? Babe, time to settle the bill.

[@jon6309]

I can see how the Star Wars galaxy used this analogy of trade routes. It was crucial that planets and corporations had a private army to protect their cargo vessels using trade routes that were prey to piracy.

[@GIRTHYANDITCURVES]

That’s a really infantile way of understanding it.

[@savagex466-qt1io]

Pffff we still out run all Imperials and Rebels for that matter. If you have cargo. We will sniff it out lol.

[@bunk95]

When are the leaders going to behave in ways marketed Sith more frequently? As far as I know theres always to many human [citizens].

[@jon6309]

@@savagex466-qt1io lol the Red Sea is no different than the outerrim or hutt space!

[@TariqAlabusani]

But the difference is they are not pirates only demanding to stop the Geno cid.

[@Sachainterista]

Some people think yemenis in flip flops are going nuts in the red sea attacking every ship in sight jack sparrow mode 🤣🤣🤣

[@csa7189]

And yet in spite of this danger many tour operators still organise flights and cruises going over this hotspot

[@markwriter2698]

So what is cheaper? Go around Africa or send in warships? Apparently some shipping can not avoid the area and think that’s the end of that, until the area is safe again.

[@kudajingkrak4919]

you know what's even more cheaper..?? Hiring non western cargo shipping companies.

[@dayforit1750]

The middIe east, the gift that keeps on giving 🙄

[@jordanross7358]

uk/us*

[@MohamedTarek-lz3hi]

Bruh its a gift you're not allowing its people to enjoy

[@darthvader-cs4iw]

Petro Dollar, that's the Gift middle Eastern got it from Uncle Sam

[@MohamedAhmed-ms9eu]

Why are you saying that as if you don't have America/Europe meddling in their politics and supplying them with weapons?

[@safzah]

The gift that everyone eyes on to steal and dominate.

[@Sniper21361]

That’s a slap on the face for Europeans and Americans

[@stevierico5934]

It also cost more in the crews wages.

[@areifie]

I wonder where is Egypt from all of that, especially it has direct effect on Suez Canal.

[@nasimalvi7824]

Against war crimes of Israel ,USA and UK blocking of shipping by Houttis are very appropriate action

[@TJSaw]

What are all the countries with military bases in Djibouti doing?

[@RemSupernova]

2:17 with north-Russian canal only 19 days.

[@injectchen]

It’s normal to think that why do people pay for very high price canals fee but not pay to surrounding countries.

[@veryCreativeName0001-zv1ir]

of course because the cannel is not international waters but the surrounding waters is?

[@injectchen]

@@veryCreativeName0001-zv1ir the Red Sea is so narrow such as in Bab Al-Mandab strait and those country might argue those should be their territorial water. Shipping companies should agree the term with Red Sea country and pay them all with some Red Sea fee.

[@veryCreativeName0001-zv1ir]

​@@injectchen by that logic south Africa should charge ships for passing by south Africa not including port fees, Iran should charge Saudi Arabia , Qatar , Oman for shipping hydrocarbons/Lng through the Persian Gulf quit being unreasonable, if every country exercised these fees, supply chains would collapse overnight. countries are allowed to claim resource in their Exclusive economic zones . the Suez Canal is not considered international waters because it was literally built or did not exist before

[@injectchen]

@@veryCreativeName0001-zv1ir or one can say cannel fee shouldn’t belong to any country and should use toward all human. It could also be interpreted if some pass through others water, pay some fee for their navy’s protection.

[@elzaxluza3098]

​@@veryCreativeName0001-zv1irthen what if every country pass fee? Red sea is not considered international water by all of the surrounding country. if they are not welcome for you, do not come. do not buy. do mot make contact. . This simple thing would stop refugee U.S caused in Europe. I do not live there so i must say if you do not prepare for black and west asian refugee coming to europe, just stop thinking invading and owning the red sea.

[@RyanCunningham-tw4wd]

I could imagine South Africa taking measures to prevent ships from rerouting back to the Suez Canal if the war in the Middle East ends in Israel's favor.

[@csa7189]

And taking into account flights also coming from SA going to the middle east and eastern Africa are mostly at risk. I hope tour operators and airlines will take this into consideration?

[@fakename4251]

Goes to show how much some countries and groups just won’t accept that Israel simply has a right to exist and “even” protect itself. Some things will never change.

[@joseph8298]

This will perhaps influence the stock prices

[@kairuannewambui8456]

HUMANITY IS CHEAP,WICKEDNESS IS EXPENSIVE

[@brendanbiles1]

no mention of why the houthis launched these attacks? curious

[@isabelcanas3121]

Can Imagine the cost of goods will be:(

[@TariqAlabusani]

Miss imagine losing your loved ones in a Geno cid, which is horrible.

[@markwriter2698]

Surely Yemen understands there will be a response.

[@aradomweday9922]

Freaking stop the war 🙏 . Amen. 52 state milking US money free tax. 20 billion will solve us homeless in all states. Spending billions ? 4 what ?

[@user-mr7de6ky2g]

Yemen is the graveyard of empires

[@user-mr7de6ky2g]

Yemen is the graveyard of empires

[@paulhetherington3854]

I operated there: "From FIJI - SHETET - 2nd in command - of: ' Patrol Craft! '" And there be, "Speed limit areas - 24hr!" Why not - any of that - by you? Our radar!

[@demarwhite6696]

🔥🔥🔥

[@darkchocolate3390]

1:07 Great logic from the Houthis there. In response to a war between two countries, you're seizing and firing on ships that have nothing to do with said war.

[@ilovewatchingvideos1057]

no. Houthis have said to stop the genocide on gaza and they will stop their blockade of israeli ships. No wonder chinese & russian ones get a pass since they are not affiliated with israel

[@Custardbarbie]

Well ships must have something to do with the war as they havent seized any russain or chinese vessels🧐and its somehow cost isreals economy a lot of money, theyve apparently lost billions due to this happening and they are also ships with millitary weapons being sent over and used to kill innocent civillians, no aid being sent in either and the healthcare system in gaza collapsed in early december if you didnt already know, why dont they try letting aid into gaza? Maybe that might work🤷🏼‍♀️

[@nc8507]

​@@CustardbarbieHouthis should stop complaining about being bombed if they're going to attack ships.

[@squidysnose69]

​@@nc8507they never complained. They will continue attacking ships and the west wont do anything

[@djsmity2029]

@@squidysnose69 Well hope you like medicine and food costing double.

[@asayeworku363]

Yemen has the right to defend

[@dereklush9399]

This all just goes to show how yemen had a chance to be another Singapore

[@hafidboudar2166]

they are targeting any israeli owned ships or ships going to israel. They are not randomly attacking

[@ilovewatchingvideos1057]

true

[@sabayasini6834]

Yemen ❤

[@commiezombie2477]

Come on man. They just making everything more expensive😤

[@37persian]

People in uk now need to welcome harder resecion

[@jarrodyuki7081]

Autonomy mastery and purpose!!!!

[@TTiGGj0YmAF]

34 days but the ship and the sailors is at risk 😂

[@TheMatadorjoe]

Anyone here has noticed that he pronounced the letter "ح" correctly ? 😂

[@jesseblount5948]

Ah noodles.

[@ZebbMassiv]

my company is forced to take the day off tomorrow because of a chemical supply disruption caused by these pirates.

[@posthocprior]

It would have helped to mention, shipping costs have an inelastic demand curve. That is, the price of shipping costs are so low, on average about 3% per product, that a 25% increase in costs, because of this conflict, is unlikely to have any significance on the total price of the shipped goods.

[@sionbarzad5371]

It could be yet another excuse to increase the price tho

[@khlaps]

If the only problems was increased risk. Companies are losing hundreds of millions of hijacked ships with valuable cargo. It’s so bad that they are choosing to go around Africa which adds more costs and delays. Items value decrease the longer they are being shipped and would also need more insurance. Even more time to go back and forth which means they need more ships.

[@tucker8071]

If it is inelastic demand curve then that means the price can go up or down and demand stays the same. Yet, you say in the last sentence that it is unlikely to have any significance on the total price of the shipped goods, which would only be the case for elastic goods. If it was inelastic then they would have no issue raising the price.

[@posthocprior]

@@tucker8071 An elastic demand is sensitive to the final price of the product. That is, a higher price is likely to result in lower demand. This is not true here. Therefore, shipping companies do frequently increase raise prices (which results in a high degree of variance), and this results in a very little change in demand. Therefore, the demand to price ratio is (relatively) inelastic.

[@tucker8071]

@@posthocprior I agree with this second comment but your first comment needs to be amended to say "the total demand of the shipped goods" not the "total price". That would make more sense.

[@-TruthHurts]

i really wonder why the UAE and Saudi Arabia are not able to provide security in the red sea...

[@idpro83]

Why would they? They are behind all this.

[@zumabbar]

@@idpro83 even if they're not, isn't it beneficial to them to stay out of it unless urged to? they're US ally, so they don't care about Palestine. Then Saudi has shorelines on both sides of the land (Red Sea & the Gulf), and in case of UAE, they can just work with Saudi.

[@MrSpiderlions]

why would the saudis ask to continue the war in Yemen (100k yeminis dead) a place where they had the world worst modern humanitarian crisis according to the UN after they JUST made peace with them? also you have to put this in context, the houthis are attacking ships that are headed towards the Israeli port in protest of the war in Gaza. While the Saudis wont do anything to hurt Israel, they're certainly not sticking their necks out for them; especially when it comes to yemen.@@zumabbar

[@zumabbar]

@@MrSpiderlions destabilize their neighbors so they can't attack them, gain more influence, or just do something they don't want to. i'm not accusing that tho, but i agree with the rest of what u said

[@ysfsim]

It's international waters, Saudi has no obligation

[@2380Shaw]

When they showed video of militants boarding the ship it looked fake like video game characters. Unatural body movements, unnatural body shapes and shadows, etc

[@cynthiarowley719]

They hate each other over there

[@operator9858]

The world is changing. They are coming together and its i sreal and the US that are uniting them...

[@operator9858]

And if things were as you say why can you even say the word h 8 and i cant even mention a countries name without being censored?

[@emtronea1]

On a plus note, it will advance defence technology against drones which could have potentially life changing technologies in the future 😜

[@Informationpage277]

Good work yemen

[@zyoutube153]

So glad Saudis talking to Yemen officials about not attacking cargo ships and finding a solution for all this mess. Saudis, BTW, didn't do **** all for Gazans.

[@SEBA_RANKS]

What can you expect from an army that have live on war for more than a decade and now they got some good flower power that can make some harm and are better organized and are Muslim too

[@romarmarinas74]

Red sea the meaning of war and blood

[@Timelost18]

Did someone say Wall Street puppets…

[@baroodkhan3131]

secure the route rather than bombing the cities

[@agnikhan3575]

The Israeli government receives funding from the USA, which is supported by US taxpayers. As a result, they have access to free education, healthcare, and housing. However, many US citizens are unable to afford these services without cost. Additionally, a significant portion of the US budget is allocated towards supplying the Israeli army with billions of dollars worth of weapons at no expense.

[@erkkihelminen7580]

No comparision where islamic rebublic money in iran goes to fund these groups

[@maggidan]

Hamas - Israel war? Not Israel - Palestine war?

[@user-jk1kh4vy5k]

Im waiting for Morgan Freeman to narrate WSJ did find their nitsche here with these YT videos

[@goodnight920]

This guy sounds like Stewie from family guy

[@RahimLadhajuma]

New tactics to protect ships and deter such behaviour is being implemented but things are always changing! Definitely tough but strategies need to be adapted for safe passage within this area!

[@RobertPaulsen-gk8qc]

Why isn't the Israeli navy out there making a contribution to the defense of their own shipping lanes?

[@caylia9989]

It's not your Shipping Lane it Yemenis pal!!😊

[@mycellphone4437]

This is not just Somali pirates. People call the Houthis rebels, but they are a de facto government which is relatively well armed (Iranian money, but also the fact that they kept many of Salem's toys).

[@drorbazer7531]

​@@RobertPaulsen-gk8qc Israeli navy (Red Sea sector) is busy defending from Houthi missiles fired towards Israel's southern city Eilat. Israel has a small navy designed for Israel's defence needs and not more than what's necessary. Israel's military isnt comparable to wold-power actors like the US or UK.

[@RobertPaulsen-gk8qc]

@@drorbazer7531 So we have another American military mission that benefits Israel but Israel makes no contribution to...

[@37persian]

So in this case this rute is now going to get worst by uk and usa mistake

[@upheaveworker2108]

Happy to hear and see the europeans are suffering from economic trade..

[@abramswee]

or Saudi Arabia can annex Yemen

[@johnpaulpm]

Sounds like Stewie Griffin gre up and got a job. 😂

[@waddahjomaa7022]

Irish politician Mick Wallace stated that the Houthi's humanitarian intervention in the Red Sea has resulted in no casualties. Despite this, the US and UK initiated an attack on Yemen, citing the Israeli genocide in Gaza as justification, which has claimed the lives of 30,000 innocent civilians, he added. He further elaborated that the Houthis demonstrate strong solidarity with the Palestinians, while EU solidarity appears to align with the US Empire and the Zionists.

[@SteveSSzymczak]

Make Egypt provide security.

[@tomhenry897]

Iran showing their power

[@thomasoakley1510]

Money... lets all think... money.... money makes the world go backwards.

[@Opt2flow]

Why would anyone wear a go pro camera while taking over a ship? 🛳️ by gun??? That makes zero sense

[@giddyakali27]

Now Africa has become safe

[@markthomas8018]

go around it then.

[@gregoryreynolds3612]

As if it's that simple... you have to know it's not.

[@chris__211]

Why is it dangerous ask Yemen

[@nikkivieler3761]

Stay away?

[@Freedom20244]

Can you make a starting point or time-line and beginning date of WW3 from Ukrainian war up to date on every news on your TV screen with a check mark showing where are we headed to the start of last day of doomsday of WW3.

[@pebos1234567890]

Why the heck is Egypt not doing more. It’s there canal and they want there money you’d imagine

[@mandarinandthetenrings2201]

You have to be careful. At the turn of the 20th century it was a total mess in Yemen, with Turks fighting down there. No one wants a repeat of that.

[@Chefen322]

Another reason why Somalia will have the most control of international politic soon. Both for this route and for all the oil we have

[@reemsaif3105]

It is the most dangerous routes. Because they dont tell you that they attack people and creates wars for this. China japan and other countries have no problem infact enjoy this route.

[@adamal8409]

I’m from Yemen, don’t worry folks this just a game for news by both sides 😅 Each want to show their people that they’re 💪 No one has been hurt and targets in empty water by Huthies and empty land by US.

[@fakename4251]

You’re from Yemen and you think it’s just a game for news… The country is one of the poorest, while Iran funds extremists in Yemen to do this “in response to what Israel does”, while risking the poor people of your country.

[@gabrielarchangel1117]

Wow... A video game? Really?

[@paulgallagher2937]

The additional cost of going around the Cape to consumers is actually rather trivial. If it increases the cost of shipping 25% then that does not increase the cost of goods by 25%. It might only be 2% or 0.1%. Just continue to work on improving the efficiency of shipping and this is a non issue. Don't be fooled by the war moungers.

[@agateslate7939]

You forgot it's would consuming more time too

[@paulgallagher2937]

@@agateslate7939 The trip is an extra week. But the canals and inland ports are seriously backlogged, so in the end, its probably not much difference.

[@safzah]

If the world’s whole economy depends on the safe passage of cargo through that area, then a full scale war wouldn’t be good for anyone. Is America and Europe ready to hurt their economies? I mean isn’t that what makes a country strong, its economy, not necessarily its military. Maintaining a strong military requires hundreds of billions constantly.

[@johnlatifi9847]

bab al-mandab

[@lukei6255]

Is this route through the territorial waters of Yemen?

[@James-9999]

No there’s a tiny line that has always been international waters that ships keep to

[@lukei6255]

@@James-9999 aren't territorial water up to 12nm? Or in this case the boundary in the middle between both countries?

[@lopezahus3117]

Because of Israel and Gaza war Russia and china ship pass 😂😂

[@Bultish]

maybe middle aged people with to much money will stop buying junk

[@diegopacheco8412]

Attacking on international waters deserves an international response this mfa have money to send drones but not for their own ppl yemen citizens should be using that money instead of ideologists

[@mandarinandthetenrings2201]

There will be but that not really going solve the problem.

[@user-mr7de6ky2g]

Your international law does not apply to the Zionists, so it is better to throw it in the trash. All the countries of the world will not intimidate us. We are a people who do not submit to anyone.

[@user-mr7de6ky2g]

Your international law does not apply to the Zionists, so it is better to throw it in the trash. All the countries of the world will not intimidate us. We are a people who do not submit to anyone.

[@user-mr7de6ky2g]

Your international law does not apply to the Zionists, so it is better to throw it in the trash. All the countries of the world will not intimidate us. We are a people who do not submit to anyone.

[@beganinyembo6082]

stop genoced

[@waderawle]

I feel sorry for the innocent people on those cargo ships just doing a job of supplying trade.

[@jaferpatel7717]

They don’t target normal people. It’s clear the mission is to stop Israeli ships only. No evidence of them attacking innocent people?

[@waderawle]

@@jaferpatel7717 Do more research, US are allies of Israel, the cargo ships have mixed nationals that include US workers, any ship that has Houthin groups with guns come aboard becomes a hostage situation, it's not just Israel involved.

[@jaferpatel7717]

@@waderawlehamas groups 😂 it’s the Houthis do some research.. it’s not our fight US has its own problems. Leave Israel to it they have a strong enough army.

[@Inero_01]

Well say that to the 20 people who got killed by USA in Yemen, they also were innocent and had nothing to do with anything, just like the 20k childeren that were killed by Israel

[@OkhoOloneAjake]

Watching from Denver Colorado worldwide freedom's freedom's

[@Scorp308]

Houthi and The Blowfish.

[@operator9858]

Hur hur.

[@donteatthechalk]

Who makes it unsafe?

[@ilovewatchingvideos1057]

israel

[@muhammadazzuhry697]

@@Iamborndictator ask israel

[@ztayeb9472]

Why should the apartheid regime take benefit from that route while the Palestinians are victims of a genocide with the consent of the U.S?

[@user-td3kc7fx7f]

In your presentation, you do not mention that the Houthis had promised to end the blockade only if Israel stopped their murderous campaign against Palestinians in Gaza.

[@marduk3633]

what if South Africa also attack iaresl ships at cape of good hope?

[@apisidraksawong7083]

เจอน้าๆโจมตีทับสมบัติรอคนฆ่านั่งผจกครับ โจ้คนคัดลอกไป @X ครับ