Nigeria's LNG shipment becomes first to cross key Red Sea route in four months amid Houthi threats

Africa's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter has returned to the spotlight in one of the world's most strategically important shipping corridors after a vessel carrying a Nigerian cargo became the first LNG carrier to transit the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in four months, even as escalating Houthi threats continue to disrupt maritime traffic.

According to S&P Global Commodities at Sea's Market Impact Report published on July 22, 2026, the GASLOG SALEM LNG carrier became the first LNG vessel to transit the Bab el-Mandeb Strait since March 2026 after discharging a cargo loaded in Nigeria into Bangladesh.

The report noted that the vessel proceeded toward the Red Sea after spending roughly a week off Sri Lanka.

"Following discharge of a Nigerian cargo into Bangladesh, GASLOG SALEM proceeded toward the Red Sea after spending roughly a week off Sri Lanka," S&P Global said.

The transit comes as energy shipping across the Middle East faces mounting pressure from security threats at two of the world's most important maritime chokepoints.