Red Sea update 9 Nov: New players and different rules are changing the game in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. How do the changes impact maritime trade?

9 November 2020

By Kais Makhloud, MENA analyst

The Red Sea attracts both regional and global powers. Neighbouring countries and their partners are increasing the flow of trade to and from the region’s southern seaboard, piracy has decreased as regional conflicts and tensions attract an increasing amount of blue water navies, intent on defending their countries’ interests.

States vie for economic influence by investing heavily in deep water ports and infrastructure expansion, and many ambitious countries maintain a large military presence in countries like Djibouti. Yet for all the military deployed and the large sums invested, the region isn’t as integrated as other seaboards and operating there requires situational awareness. The region’s fragmented politics, along with its strategic location further complicate long term planning.

Note:
Analyst Kais Makhlouf gave a full update on the Red Sea and Yemen region in his webinar on 17 Nov. To gain access to the webinar, please contact Hanne Klintøe at hk@riskintelligence.eu.