“The balance is changing in the region, due to the impact of the crises in Ukraine and Gaza. We need to keep the sea lines open and it is common sense to think about a single EU naval operation capable of addressing all issues related to maritime security in the Indian Ocean,” stressed Vice Admiral Emmanuel Slaars, Commander of European Maritime Surveillance Operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
In a meeting held in Madrid between the officers of Operation ATALANTA of EU NAVFOR which has deployed in the Northwest Indian Ocean, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Aden and Red Sea and maritime industry officials, the common understanding between the two sides that the sea lanes must remain open was reaffirmed.
As of November 2023, commercial shipping is under attack for the Houthis in Yemen in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean in response to the conflict in Gaza. There has also been a return of piracy off Somalia.
The meeting was attended by EUNAVFOR ASPIDES and Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) officials with Operation AGENOR as a special guest, along with representatives of the shipping industry, namely the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and Bimco.
“The discussions and results of this meeting are aimed at improving operational cooperation and providing practical information to all stakeholders,” EU NAVFOR said in a statement.