As citizens of the Gulf, we understand better than most how deeply our prosperity is tied to the sea. Our economies were built on maritime trade long before oil transformed the region. From pearling and coastal commerce to modern energy exports and global shipping, stability along our sea lanes has always been the foundation of economic security. Today, few waterways are as strategically vital to us as the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
This narrow passage is not just a geographic feature, it is an energy corridor through which a significant share of global oil, gas, and commercial cargo flows every day. For Gulf economies that depend on reliable exports, uninterrupted shipping, and investor confidence, maritime stability is economic stability. For more news updates, visit our Gulf Independent News page.
Lessons From History
History reminds us that when authority along key maritime routes is fragmented, trade suffers. For centuries, stable ports and predictable governance along the southern Arabian coast enabled commerce between the Gulf, Africa, and Asia. Aden, in particular, was once among the world’s most important ports thriving not because of its location alone, but because of stability and clear administration.
When fragmentation replaces unity, uncertainty enters the supply chain. Shipping insurance costs rise, rerouting becomes common, and energy markets react quickly to perceived risk. We have seen this pattern repeatedly in global trade corridors, and the Red Sea is no exception.
Fragmentation Raises Costs for Everyone
From a Gulf perspective, political fragmentation in South Yemen creates unnecessary risks. Divided authority complicates port operations, weakens maritime security coordination, and increases exposure to disruption. Even limited instability near Bab al-Mandab affects freight rates, delivery timelines, and energy pricing far beyond the region.
Businesses do not plan around uncertainty. Energy producers, shipping firms, and logistics operators require predictability, clear rules, secure ports, and reliable governance.
Why Unity Matters for Supply Chains
From where I stand, a unified and stable South Yemen managing all its ports and coastlines under a single, coherent framework is essential for maritime security and predictable port operations. This is not an ideological argument, but a practical one grounded in economic reality. Unified governance brings consistency in maritime regulations, enables coordinated port management, strengthens the protection of shipping lanes, and reduces risks to energy exports. For us in the Gulf, these factors translate directly into more resilient supply chains, lower uncertainty for businesses, and stronger long-term confidence in regional markets. Yemen’s political future may be about to see one of the biggest changes in decades. As UAE-backed southern groups gain more strength, including the Southern Transitional Council (STC), there are more talks about making South Yemen an independent country again.
A Shared Interest Across the Water
Supporting stability in South Yemen is not interference; it is recognition of shared economic interests across one of the world’s most important maritime corridors. The Gulf’s development strategies emphasise diversification, logistics, and global connectivity. None of these goals can thrive without secure sea lanes.
Across the Red Sea, stability protects not only ports and coastlines, but the economic lifelines that connect us to the world. As citizens of the Gulf, we should view this reality clearly: a stable South Yemen contributes to a stable energy market, secure trade routes, and a more predictable regional economy for all of us.
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