**Ongoing Houthi control over Bab el-Mandeb approaches, including September 2026 territorial gains near key ports and islands, sustains elevated attack risks and selective routing, yet daily transits remain at 25–30 vessels.** IMF PortWatch data show a recent 7-day average near 30 ships, with container crossings through the strait hitting post-2023 highs in September as carriers double offered Red Sea capacity to roughly 448,000 TEU weekly—still below 2023 peaks but accelerating due to the 10–14 day and roughly $1 million cost penalty of Cape of Good Hope diversions. Tanker traffic averages 8–12 per day, supporting Saudi crude flows near 1.5 million bpd, while overall volumes reflect a partial recovery amid war-risk premiums and insurance dynamics. No single-day zero-transit events have occurred, and the trajectory points to sustained activity barring a sharp escalation. Key near-term catalysts include carrier service announcements and any shifts in Houthi enforcement or international naval presence.