Join 150K Subscribers

Weekly insights & expert articles on supply chain, shipping, and international trade.
Last week another, 812 people joined our community

Your Global Trade Knowledgebase

Guides, How-to’s, Downloads and Resources to help you
succeed in Global Trade.
Home » Global Trade News » International Coalition Unite to Defend Red Sea
Last updated on December 21, 2023 by Ben Thompson

International Coalition Unite to Defend Red Sea

Operation Prosperity Guardian unites to defend Red Sea.

Operation Prosperity Guardian, a new multinational security initiative, was recently announced by several nations including the United States, United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain. This operation aims to safeguard merchant ships in the Red Sea area from drone and missile attacks, particularly those launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The U.S. Defence Secretary, Lloyd Austin, stated on December 18 that the initiative would operate under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and its Task Force 153. The CMF, a 39-nation maritime partnership based in Bahrain, focuses on securing various strategic maritime regions and countering piracy. Task Force 153, established in 2022, specifically addresses human trafficking, smuggling, and the interdiction of illegal weapons and drugs in the Red Sea.

Approximately 20,000 commercial vessels travel through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden annually. The initiative representing more than 35 countries, responds to over 100 attacks by Houthi rebels using drones and missiles against merchant vessels.

Several nations have already committed resources to Operation Prosperity Guardian. Britain is deploying the HMS Diamond, a Type 45 destroyer with air defence capabilities, which recently intercepted a Houthi drone. This marks the Royal Navy’s first aerial target engagement since the Gulf War in 1991. Italy is contributing the multimission frigate Virginio Fasan to counter terrorist activities and protect shipping routes. France’s multimission frigate Languedoc has been active in the area since early December, successfully engaging hostile drones. Norway is providing staff officers to the CMF, and the Netherlands is contributing two staff officers while considering the deployment of ships.

This collaborative effort underlines the international community’s commitment to maintaining freedom of navigation and regional stability in the face of increasing security threats in the Middle East. See one minute recap clip here.

Keep Learning

Download Global Trade Guide

Enter your email to get your FREE guide and weekly trade insights. Unsubscribe anytime.

Download Incoterms® 2020 Guide

Enter your email to get your FREE guide and weekly trade insights. Unsubscribe anytime.

Download Global Trade Guide

Enter your email to get your FREE guide and weekly trade insights. Unsubscribe anytime.

Weekly Insights. ZERO spam
Global Trade Guide

By downloading this content you agree to receive our weekly Global Trade Email Newsletter to help grow your business.

Get Smarter About Global Trade
Join 150K+ subscribers to receive our free weekly 5 minute newsletter on what's happening in the world of Global Trade.
Glossary of Shipping Terms

By downloading this content you agree to receive our weekly Global Trade Email Newsletter to help grow your business.

International Coalition Unite to Defend Red Sea

By downloading this content you agree to receive our weekly Global Trade Email Newsletter to help grow your business.

Export Manager's Guide to Remote Working

By downloading this content you agree to receive our weekly Global Trade Email Newsletter to help grow your business.

Download a Proforma Invoice Template PDF

By downloading this content you agree to receive our weekly Global Trade Email Newsletter to help grow your business.

 

Unit Load Device ULD Air Container Specifications

By downloading this content you agree to receive our weekly Global Trade Email Newsletter to help grow your business.