German frigate departs for Red Sea as part of expected EU mission
The German naval frigate Hessen has set sail 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.
