Bab el-Mandeb: Strategic Maritime Chokepoint and European Supply Chain Risks (eco.sapo.pt)

• Essential transit point for global oil and LNG shipments to Europe.
• Geopolitical instability necessitates increased naval presence and security costs.
• Alternative routes around Africa significantly impact logistics and carbon footprints.

"The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, represents one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints. For the European Union, this passage is vital for energy imports and trade with Asia. Recent geopolitical instability, driven by regional conflicts and asymmetric threats, underscores the vulnerability of European supply chains. Any disruption here forces costly rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope, increasing transit times and inflation."