Danish Minister of Defense Forswald and Foreign Minister Lars Lökke Rasmussen announced plans to further support maritime security efforts in the Red Sea. At the same time, the Danish Shipowners Association and trade unions also announced plans to compensate seafarers working on Danish-flagged vessels operating in newly defined high-risk areas. All this comes after Maersk reported that it plans to resume navigation in the Red Sea.
Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said he was “concerned about the serious situation in the Red Sea, where unprovoked attacks on civilian vessels continue.” “This is extremely important for the development of the oceans.” ”
Denmark has previously supported similar efforts by sending ships to the region during the peak of Somali piracy.danish frigate Esbern Snare It was also deployed in November 2021 to strengthen maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea. The ship was famously involved in a gunfight with pirates when it tried to stop what appeared to be a civilian boat. They killed four of the pirates and seriously injured another, and eventually the pirates were sent to Denmark for treatment and trial.
Currently, the Ministry of Defense says there are three staff members assigned to the Joint Maritime Forces based in Bahrain. The government plans to submit a resolution to the Danish parliament in January to deploy frigates to the Red Sea region. The ship is expected to arrive by the end of January 2024.
Denmark’s move comes ahead of possible action by the European Union. Reuters reported yesterday, citing sources, that talks are underway on an EU initiative in the Red Sea region, with confirmation from Germany and Spain. The EU maintains a mission to patrol the area off the coast of Somalia and support the development of Somalia’s security operations. EUNAVFOR mission Atalanta continues to coordinate defenses against Somali pirates and is also involved in the current situation of the bulk carrier Nabiburgar, which was seized in the Arabian Sea and taken to Somalia earlier this month.
Just as Maersk reported it would resume sailings in the area, shipowners’ association Danse Redelier reported it had negotiated terms with the union representing the crew. Starting tomorrow, December 30, crew members will receive a 100 percent bonus on top of their basic pay for every 24 hours the ship is in one of two high-risk areas defined by the International Negotiating Forum. It covers the southern part of the Red Sea and the southern coast of Yemen.
“At Danske Redelier, we very much welcome the US-led operation Prosperity Guardian to ensure the safe passage of civilian shipping in the Red Sea. Danske Redelier’s labor market is based on taking all measures.”It is also necessary to comply with all guidelines issued in connection with navigation in the waters under the protection of Operation Prosperity Guardian.” – Ann Windfeld Troll, Director of Training and Recruitment, said.
Maersk suspended Red Sea transit almost two weeks ago after the Houthis unsuccessfully targeted several container ships in the region, shortly after Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM, Other ships followed, including MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, Ocean Network Express, HMM and Evergreen. , and many other carriers. Maersk said 15 routes were affected, but said it had started sending ships back through the region this week, and Reuters reported on Thursday that most Maersk vessels are scheduled to arrive in the coming weeks. It was estimated that the ship would return to its route.