Trump Declares End To Red Sea Shipping Crisis As U.S. And Houthis Agree To Ceasefire
Shipping Arabia, May 10, 2025 — U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that the prolonged Red Sea shipping crisis, which has disrupted global trade for over 17 months, is nearing resolution following a ceasefire agreement with Yemen’s Houthi forces.
In a statement from the White House, President Trump confirmed that the Houthis have agreed to cease their maritime attacks, including those targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait. In return, the U.S. will suspend its aerial strikes on Houthi targets, which Trump characterized as a “capitulation” by the Iran-backed group.
“The Houthis have announced… that they don’t want to fight anymore. They just don’t want to fight. And we will honor that, and we will stop the bombings,” Trump stated during a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. He added, “They say they will not be blowing up ships anymore, and that’s… the purpose of what we were doing.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt supported the announcement, stating on X that Trump had “swiftly delivered” on his promise to restore maritime security in the Red Sea through American military action.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who played a significant role in the negotiations, confirmed the agreement. He stated that U.S., Omani, and Yemeni mediators had finalized the terms of the truce, which include commitments from both sides to avoid targeting each other’s vessels or territories, thereby ensuring “freedom of navigation and the smooth flow of international commercial shipping.”
This breakthrough follows a week of heightened hostilities, including airstrikes on Yemeni ports and bombings in Port Sudan, which had raised concerns about escalating regional instability.
Despite this diplomatic progress, shipping volumes in the Red Sea remain significantly low. Recent data from Sweden’s SEB Bank reveals that commercial traffic in the region is down by about 50% compared to the same period in 2023. Analysts at SEB noted that while trade disruptions continue, the ceasefire could pave the way for a gradual recovery.
“The prospect of a ceasefire agreement and enhanced security suggests a likely resurgence in commercial shipping operations in the region,” SEB stated in a note to clients, highlighting that car carrier and container markets are expected to rebound more swiftly.
Industry stakeholders will be closely monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire in the coming weeks, with many shipping lines preparing contingency plans to reinstate Red Sea routes if security conditions improve.
