The Yemeni government has presented detailed figures to counter the Houthi militia's persistent assertions that Hodeidah port has been under blockade, providing evidence from the United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism (UNVIM) to demonstrate significant maritime activity.
Deputy Minister of Transport, Nasser Ahmed Sherif, released statements and statistics from the UNVIM, which has been monitoring activity at Hodeidah port since 2016. These figures reportedly confirm the substantial entry of food, fuel, and commercial goods into the port according to established international procedures.
According to the UNVIM summary data covering May 2016 to May 2026, the mechanism received 3,560 permit requests and conducted 2,634 inspections. During this period, 3,238 vessels successfully discharged their cargo and departed Hodeidah ports after completing the necessary procedures. The volume of imports facilitated by the UN mechanism during this time underscores the ease of import operations.
The figures indicate that 41.5 million tons of food, 20.1 million tons of fuel, and 10.4 million tons of other goods and commodities entered through the port. Deputy Minister Sherif stated that the total imports, exceeding 72 million tons of essential goods and materials via the UN mechanism, demonstrate that Hodeidah port remained operational and accessible to import traffic, contradicting the Houthi claims of a blockade.
Sherif explained that the Houthi narrative regarding a "blockade" is part of a political disinformation campaign aimed at deflecting responsibility for the economic and humanitarian situation, while UN reports highlight the consistent commercial movement through the port over the past years. He emphasized the Yemeni government's adherence to international maritime laws and agreements, ensuring the smooth entry of essential goods and fuel for all Yemenis, free from political exploitation of citizens' suffering.
The Deputy Minister concluded by asserting that documented facts and figures are more powerful than disinformation campaigns, and that international records provide clear evidence of the extensive facilitation that has ensured the continuity of navigation and supplies through Yemeni ports.
