EU Extends Operation ASPIDES Mandate to Secure Red Sea Shipping Routes

Brussels, February 15, 2025 – The European Union has extended the mandate of its maritime security operation, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, for an additional year, reinforcing efforts to safeguard freedom of navigation in the crisis-hit Red Sea region. The operation will now continue until February 28, 2026, with a budget of over €17 million allocated for its extended period.

The decision follows a strategic review of the operation, which was initially launched in February 2024 in response to escalating threats to international commercial vessels. The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden have become hotspots of geopolitical tension, with attacks on shipping routes increasing, particularly due to Houthi militant actions since October 2023.

Enhanced Intelligence and Counter-Trafficking Measures

In addition to protecting vessels, the Council has authorized ASPIDES to gather intelligence on arms trafficking and shadow fleets—unregulated vessels often used for illicit trade. The collected information will be shared with:

• EU Member States
• The European Commission
• The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
• INTERPOL
• EUROPOL
• The International Maritime Organization (IMO)

These new measures aim to enhance maritime security awareness in the region and disrupt illegal activities that contribute to instability.

Strategic Naval Presence in Critical Waters

Operation ASPIDES operates along key global shipping lanes, including:

• The Bab al-Mandab Strait (connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden)
• The Strait of Hormuz (a strategic chokepoint for global oil trade)
• The Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Oman, and the Persian Gulf

This region is a vital corridor for global trade, and securing these routes is crucial for international economic stability. The EU’s decision to prolong ASPIDES reflects growing concerns over maritime security amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

Command and Coordination

The operation remains headquartered in Larissa, Greece, under the leadership of Commodore Vasileios Gryparis. The extension ensures that the EU maintains a strong naval presence in the region to counter maritime threats and uphold international law.

As geopolitical tensions persist, the EU’s commitment to Operation ASPIDES underscores its role in global maritime security and defense cooperation, ensuring that commercial shipping remains protected from escalating threats.

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