Houthi attacks scramble Saudi Arabia's Red Sea port ambitions

Houthi maritime attacks have dealt a significant blow to Saudi Arabia's economic ambitions for its Red Sea ports. Container ship traffic at the kingdom's King Abdullah Port plummeted by nearly 70 percent in 2024 as international shipping companies avoid the region in response to the attacks. The Jeddah Islamic Port also saw a decline, though less severe as it serves as a primary import gateway rather than just for transshipment. These disruptions directly challenge Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030, which is heavily focused on developing the Red Sea coast for trade, manufacturing, and tourism.