Italy’s defence minister, Guido Crosetto says ongoing disruption in the Red Sea threatens to destabilise Italy’s economy and marginalise ports in southern Europe.
Crosetto speaking to lawmakers from parliament’s defence committees, stated that the sustained disruption in sea activities from a geopolitical perspective, could lead to the marginalisation of ports on the Mediterranean Sea, which he said threatens the security of navigation and Italy’s economic stability.
The minister said that commercial traffic through the Suez Canal, which he estimated to represent some 40% of Italy’s total maritime trade had dropped by 38% by the last week of 2023, noting that Italy was considering sending aircraft with surveillance and data collection tasks, within the framework of the European operation in the area named Aspides.
Meanwhile EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, said the commission is concerned and member states are set to launch a naval mission in the Red Sea by mid-February, aiming to protect ships from attacks by Yemen’s Houthi militants.
Attacks since mid-November on commercial vessels by Iran-aligned Houthi militants, who control the most populous parts of Yemen, have disrupted international shipping, forcing some companies to suspend transit through the Red Sea and instead take a much longer, costlier journey around South Africa.
