Aden (South24) 

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Maritime activity in the strategic port of Aden has declined significantly, amid an increase in the number of commercial ships arriving at the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeidah.

Official figures, followed by "South24 Center", showed that the port of Hodeidah have received 27 commercial ships since the beginning of June, compared to only 9 ships that arrived in the port of Aden in the same period.

The number of ships arriving at the port of Aden since June (the official website of the port)

The figures released by the port of Aden website and the Houthi-affiliated Red Sea Ports Corporation website indicated that the main port of Hodeidah received 20 ships, and the "Salif" port of 7 ships.

The number of ships arriving at the port of Hodeidah since June (official website)

In the ports of Hodeidah, the number of ships carrying various goods reached 18, while the number of container ships reached 3 ships and oil ships reached 6 ships.

This decline in the activity of the port of Aden comes after the easing of restrictions imposed on the port of Hodeidah, which is largely controlled by the Houthis, by Saudi Arabia last February, amid direct bilateral talks between the two parties.

Related: Saudi Arabia Grants The «Houthi Militia» a Major Sea Outlet 

In a previous report by the "South24 Center", data for the site indicated a decline in the activity of the port of Aden in favor of the port of Hodeidah in January and February 2023, compared to the same period in the previous year 2022.

According to the data, the port of Aden received, during January and February 2022, 82 ships of oil, goods, building materials and other shipments, compared to 69 ships during the year 2023.

On the other hand, the number of ships that arrived at the port of Hodeidah increased from 27 ships during January and February 2022, to 42 ships during the same period this year.

Related: Between Aden and Hodeidah: The Reality of Commercial Voyages 

Related: Aden and Hodeidah: The Reality of Commercial Voyages 

The latest figures for the month of June show an escalation of maritime activity in the port of Hodeidah at the expense of the port of Aden since last February, and the port of Hodeidah has now surpassed the port of Aden.

In early January, the Yemeni cabinet, headed by Maeen Abdulmalik, approved measures to raise the price of the customs dollar by 50%, from 500 Yemeni riyals to 750 riyals.

Economic experts believe that this decision negatively affected the performance of the port of Aden in favor of the Houthis and doubled the challenges facing the largest and most important port in South Yemen.

During the past weeks, the Houthis took measures, including preventing the entry of trucks of imported wheat through the port of Aden into North Yemen, as part of steps to strengthen the port of Hodeidah.

Related: Houthis Prevent Wheat Entry Imported Through the Port of Aden 

The Houthis obtained the port of Hodeidah within the Stockholm Agreement [2018], which stopped the brigades of the southern giants from controlling the port.

The Yemeni government accuses the Houthis of exploiting the port's revenues for military purposes, and of not complying with the Stockholm Agreement, which provides for their use to pay employees' salaries.