Pirates of the Red Sea

The Red Sea has become the centre of a geopolitical crisis. How to secure one of the world’s most crowded trade routes?

Roughly 33% of all container ships pass through the Red Sea, which at its narrowest point is only 26 kilometers wide. It is a vulnerable location, as demonstrated in recent years when Yemen-based Houthis sank four ships and hijacked one. International trade through the Red Sea came to a standstill. In previous years it was Somali pirates who disrupted the region.

As a result, vessels traveling between Europe and Asia now have to sail around Africa, increasing the cost of global shipping and, by extension, consumer prices. For the EU, and especially for a trading nation like the Netherlands, the Red Sea is crucial for our supply chain. What measures should be taken to ensure trade security and stability in the Red Sea?