For the first time in 7 years, a general cargo vessel docked at Yemen’s main port of Hodeidah on Saturday.
No general cargo vessel for 7 years
After the war broke out in Yemen in 2016, 80% of the 30 million population are in need of help. The goods arriving in Yemen go through a U.N. body established to prevent arms shipments from entering Yemen. During the past 7 years, the UN body, Verification and Inspection Mechanism for Yemen (UNVIM) allowed only limited items.
A Step to trust building
granting access to a ship named Shebelle, an Ethiopian-flagged general cargo ship, is counted as a trust-building step. This aimed at supporting Saudi-Houthi talks to reinstate the U.N.-brokered truce deal.
“The mechanism previously only provided clearance for specific shipments but now UNVIM is granting clearances for all kinds of shipments to Hodeidah port,”. Said Muhammad Abu-Bakr bin Ishaq, head of Houthi-run Red Sea Ports Corporation.
The cargo items are unknown but 3 more container vessels were seen in the port on Saturday.
More vessels in the future
The increased flow of goods into the western port would reduce transportation costs for products in Yemen. UNVIM has not commented regarding the cargo ship.
Abdul Wahab Al-Durra, the Houthi minister of transportation, reportedly said that container, fuel, and other commodity ships had begun entering ports from Djibouti. these are also under UNVIM.
“The docks at the ports of Hodeidah, Saleef, and Ras Issa are crowded with ships, and there are ships waiting to unload in the draft”. Al-Durra said, adding that a further 18 ships are currently on their way.
Reports say that the Yemeni government urged local merchants and international shipping companies to import goods through government-controlled ports. Promising to provide them with reduced transportation costs and insurance.
With the government and Houthi fighting over more imports to their ports, turning the opportunity into an economic war, more goods imported will hopefully help the Yemenis.