Bab-el-Mandeb
Meaning
Bab-el-Mandeb is the strait between Yemen and the Horn of Africa connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, on the route to and from the Suez Canal.
Also written as Bab el Mandeb, Red Sea diversion
Bab-el-Mandeb explained
Attacks on shipping from late 2023 led many tanker owners to avoid the Red Sea entirely and route via the Cape of Good Hope instead, adding thousands of miles to Europe–Asia voyages and raising tonne-mile demand.
Related terms
Suez Canal
The Suez Canal links the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, saving thousands of miles on Europe–Asia voyages; its draft limit is about 20 metres.
Cape of Good Hope
The Cape of Good Hope route takes ships around southern Africa instead of through Suez, the standard path for laden VLCCs between Asia and the West.
JWC listed areas
JWC listed areas are the sea areas the London market's Joint War Committee considers high risk for war, piracy or terrorism, triggering extra premiums.
Tonne-miles
Tonne-miles measure tanker demand as cargo volume multiplied by distance carried, so longer voyages absorb more ships even if volumes don't change.