German warship heads to Red Sea to secure merchant ships

BERLIN – The German naval frigate Hessen leaves the harbor on a planned EU military mission to secure merchant shipping in the Red Sea against attacks by Houthi militants in Yemen.

The warship, with a crew of about 240 sailors on board, left the German Navy’s largest base in Wilhelmshaven on the North Sea coast on Thursday morning.

An EU decision and a mandate from German parliament to approve the mission remain pending, but are expected to be made sometime this month during the frigate’s trip to the region.

The EU is expected to act by February 19, with Germany’s parliament to follow. The Hessen is expected to arrive in the Red Sea area by the end of the month.

Comrades, family members and friends gathered on the pier to see off the ship. Siemtje Möller, a senior official at the Ministry of Defence, called it a “memorable day.”

“It is absolutely clear that the mission is essential,” said Möller.

The Red Sea corridor is a major shipping lane for cargo and vessels headed to and from Europe via the Suez Canal, which opens into the sea. The route is particularly important for oil and gas shipments from the Gulf, as well as trade between Europe and south-western Asia, including India and China.

The attacks by Houthi rebels have led many global shipping firms to reroute ships around the southern tip of Africa instead, adding considerable time and cost to journeys.

The Iran-backed Houthis have demanded that Israel halt its war in the Gaza Strip and have attacked ships with alleged links to Israel, a conflict that broke out after the Palestinian militant group Hamas staged unprecedented attacks and massacres on Israel on October 7.

The plans for the EU mission to the Red Sea call for sending several warships from EU countries as well as airborne early warning systems to protect cargo ships in the region.

The 143-metre-long frigate Hessen is equipped with anti-aircraft missiles with a range of more than 160 kilometres, among other armaments, and was designed for escort and maritime surveillance duties.

In addition to the regular crew and two helicopters, there are also other emergency personnel on board, including a team of doctors and a military priest, according to the navy.