First Assessment of European Aspides Mission in Red Sea

EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Josep Borrell spoke about the European Aspides mission in the Red Sea, which has been in operation since February. It aims to ensure the safety of maritime navigation through the Suez Canal and the Bab-al-Mandab Strait.

In less than two months, 11 attacks have been repelled and 68 ships escorted “in accordance with Aspides’ defensive mandate. It’s a big commitment, also in terms of risk,” Borrell said. He specified that the mission demonstrates “the will and ability to defend Europe’s interests and is an example of the EU’s capability to ensure maritime security.”

The Union representative also explained how the Red Sea crisis is affecting cargo transportation. This route carries 13% of the world’s commercial traffic. Since the Houthis began attacking merchant ships, the cost of shipping a container from China to Europe has doubled. This is due to the increased cost of insurance premiums, as well as the increased time and fuel costs to detour around the Cape of Good Hope. Meanwhile, traffic on the Red Sea has been cut in half, from 70 to 35 ships a day.

Borrell suggested that Iran “show moderation and use its influence to avoid escalation.” He explained that he does not believe Tehran has “full control over the decisions of the Houthis, who are quite autonomous.”