- EUNAVFOR ASPIDES carried out close protection of a merchant vessel in the Red Sea on 27 August 2026.
- Crew and cargo arrived safely at their destination without incident.
- The EU Council extended the mission mandate to 28 February 2027 with a budget of approx. 15 million euros.
- The operation was established in February 2024 in response to Houthi attacks on shipping since October 2023.
- The Red Sea carries approximately 12% of global container traffic and is critical to world trade.
Close Protection of Merchant Vessel in the Red Sea
The European Union's maritime mission EUNAVFOR ASPIDES carried out a close protection operation on 27 August 2026, escorting a merchant vessel safely through one of the world's most trafficked and vulnerable waterways. The mission confirmed that both the crew and cargo reached their destination without incident.
Mandate and Operational Context
EUNAVFOR ASPIDES is a purely defensive EU naval operation established in February 2024 in response to repeated Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea since October 2023. The operation's mandate includes:
- Accompanying and protecting civilian vessels in the area of operations
- Maritime situational awareness, including collecting information on arms trafficking and shadow fleets
- Protecting vessels against multi-domain attacks at sea, in full respect of international law
"ASPIDES is actively contributing to keeping one of the world's most vital waterways open and secure."
In February 2026, the EU Council voted to extend the mission's mandate until 28 February 2027, with a financial reference amount of nearly 15 million euros for common costs. The operation's Force Headquarters is located in Larissa, Greece.
Significance for Global Trade
The Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandab Strait form a critical transport corridor for international trade. Approximately 12% of the world's container traffic and a significant share of oil and gas supply pass through the waterway daily. Since the Houthi attacks commenced in late 2023, a substantial number of vessels have rerouted via the longer passage around the Cape of Good Hope, increasing transit times and costs for the global supply chain.
Mission Framework
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Operation | EUNAVFOR ASPIDES |
| Established | 8 February 2024 |
| Mandate period | 19 Feb 2024 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Area of Operations | Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf |
| Force HQ | Larissa, Greece |
| Funding (2026–27) | Approx. 14.9 million euros |
The operation is conducted under the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 2722 (2024), which condemns Houthi attacks on merchant and commercial vessels and underscores the importance of freedom of navigation in the Red Sea in accordance with international law.