The European Union has announced that the Netherlands has assumed leadership of its vital naval mission tasked with safeguarding commercial shipping and maritime freedom in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, the EU’s maritime mission, stated via its platform “X” on Saturday that Dutch Rear Admiral George Pastoor has taken over command from his Italian predecessor Admiral Stefano Constantino, who led the European mission since his appointment on February 14th.
The handover ceremony took place on Saturday, June 15th aboard the Italian frigate “Virginio Fasan,” under the supervision of Greek Admiral Vasileios Gryparis.
ASPIDES highlighted that under Admiral Constantino’s leadership, the European operations successfully escorted and protected 200 merchant ships within its operational area since its launch in February, ensuring maritime navigation in the region.
The mission, comprising 5 naval units and nearly 1000 sailors, navigated approximately 2100 hours in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden, effectively countering maritime attacks by Houthi forces and ensuring continuous deterrence to prevent further escalation.
ASPIDES pledged to continue executing its tasks to maintain maritime security under the EU’s Common Security and Defense Policy, ensuring full compliance with international law regarding maritime trade freedom and securing the passage of commercial vessels through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The EU launched Operation ASPIDES on February 19, 2024, following increased Houthi attacks on Western commercial and naval vessels in the Red Sea and northwestern Indian Ocean. The operation is headquartered in Larissa, Greece, and its naval fleet includes European warships and frigates, with maritime crews from 19 participating countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Greece, and Belgium.
