Maritime traffic through Red Sea by 60%: EU's Red Sea Aspides mission
Cairo – June 10, 2025: Since August 2024, maritime activity in the Red Sea has significantly increased, with daily vessel numbers rising by about 60%, now averaging between 36 and 37 ships per day.
This marks a notable improvement from the 20 to 23 ships seen each day during the low point in August of the previous year, according to Rear Admiral Vasileios Gryparis, who leads the EU's Red Sea Aspides mission.
Despite this upward trend, current traffic levels still fall short of the 72 to 75 vessels per day that were typical before Houthi-related disruptions intensified in late 2023, indicating that full recovery has yet to be achieved.
The Iran-backed Yemeni rebel group began targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea in November 2023, citing support for Palestinians amid Israel's war in Gaza.
Rear Admiral Gryparis attributed the improvement in traffic partly to a ceasefire deal between the Houthis and the United States, which has reduced the frequency of missile and drone attacks. The last known assault on a commercial vessel occurred in November 2024.
Nonetheless, he warned that no absolute guarantees can be made regarding ship safety in the region.
Since its launch, the mission has provided armed escorts to nearly 500 ships, intercepted four ballistic missiles, and neutralized multiple aerial and maritime threats, including drones and remote-controlled attack boats.
In February 2025, its mandate was expanded to include the interception of illegal arms shipments and vessels carrying sanctioned Russian oil.
In a related effort to restore commercial confidence, Egypt's Suez Canal Authority introduced a 15 percent discount on transit fees starting May 15, applicable for large container ships for a period of 90 days. The move, responding to industry requests, aims to attract major shipping lines back to the route.
Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty later emphasized that restoring stable traffic through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal is essential to global trade, especially amid ongoing geopolitical tensions that have strained Egypt's economy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Middle East
4 hours ago
- Middle East
OPEN// Foreign ministry stresses need to comply with Gaza border visit regulations
CAIRO, June 11 (MENA) - Egypt has welcomed the official and popular international and regional positions supporting Palestinian rights and rejecting the blockade, starvation tactics, and systematic and flagrant Israeli violations against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. In a statement on Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates affirmed that Egypt continues to work at all levels to end the aggression on Gaza and to bring an end to the humanitarian catastrophe impacting more than two million Palestinians. In this context and in light of recent requests and inquiries regarding visits by foreign delegations to the border areas adjacent to Gaza, especially Arish City and Rafah border crossing, Egypt stresses the necessity of obtaining prior approvals to conduct such visits, the ministry said. The only acceptable way for Egyptian authorities to consider these requests is by adhering to the regulatory framework and procedures established since the start of the war on Gaza, according to the statement. This includes submitting official requests to Egyptian embassies abroad, or through requests submitted by foreign embassies in Cairo or representatives of organizations to the foreign ministry, it said. Numerous visits have already been arranged for foreign delegations either representing governmental bodies or non-governmental human rights organizations, the ministry said. 'Egypt underlines the importance of adhering to these established regulations to ensure the safety of visiting delegations given the sensitive and volatile nature of the border area since the beginning of the Gaza crisis.' 'In this regard, Egypt reaffirms that no requests will be considered nor any invitations will be responded to if they fall outside the approved regulatory framework and established mechanisms,' the statement said. 'Egypt also underlines the importance that all foreign nationals must comply with Egyptian laws and entry regulations, including obtaining the necessary visas or pre-approved permits. 'Finally, Egypt reiterates its unwavering stance in support of the steadfastness of the Palestinian people on their land and its rejection of Israel's blatant violations of international law and international humanitarian law. 'It further stresses the importance of exerting pressure on Israel to lift the blockade on Gaza and to allow humanitarian access through all Israeli-controlled crossings with the Strip.' (MENA) M A A/S R E/R E E
See - Sada Elbalad
5 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Egypt Stresses Need to Adhere to Regulatory Controls for Visiting Border Area Adjacent to Gaza
Taarek Refaat Egypt welcomed the international and regional positions, both official and popular, in support of Palestinian rights and in rejection of the blockade, starvation, and blatant and systematic Israeli violations against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration affirmed, in a press statement, Wednesday, said that Egypt will continue to work at all levels to end the aggression on the Strip and the humanitarian catastrophe that has befallen more than two million Palestinians. In this context, and in light of the requests and inquiries regarding foreign delegations visiting the border area adjacent to Gaza (the city of Arish and the Rafah crossing) during the recent period; in order to express support for Palestinian rights, Egypt emphasizes the necessity of obtaining prior approval for such visits, and that the only way for Egyptian authorities to continue considering such requests is by following the regulatory controls and mechanisms in place since the beginning of the war on Gaza. These include submitting an official request to Egyptian embassies abroad, or through requests submitted by foreign embassies in Cairo or representatives of organizations to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It should be noted that numerous visits have already been arranged for foreign delegations, both governmental and from human rights non-governmental organizations. Egypt emphasizes the importance of adhering to these regulatory controls, which have been put in place to ensure the security of visiting delegations due to the delicate situation in the border area since the beginning of the Gaza crisis. In this regard, it emphasizes that no requests will be considered or invitations will be responded to outside the framework defined by the regulatory controls and mechanisms in place. Egypt also emphasizes the importance of citizens of all countries adhering to the laws and regulations governing entry into Egyptian territory, including obtaining prior and regulated visas or permits. Egypt emphasized its unwavering support for the steadfastness of the Palestinian people on their land and its rejection of Israel's flagrant violations of international law and international humanitarian law. It also emphasized the importance of pressuring Israel to end the blockade of the Gaza Strip and allow humanitarian access through all Israeli roads and crossings into the Strip. read more CBE: Deposits in Local Currency Hit EGP 5.25 Trillion Morocco Plans to Spend $1 Billion to Mitigate Drought Effect Gov't Approves Final Version of State Ownership Policy Document Egypt's Economy Expected to Grow 5% by the end of 2022/23- Minister Qatar Agrees to Supply Germany with LNG for 15 Years Business Oil Prices Descend amid Anticipation of Additional US Strategic Petroleum Reserves Business Suez Canal Records $704 Million, Historically Highest Monthly Revenue Business Egypt's Stock Exchange Earns EGP 4.9 Billion on Tuesday Business Wheat delivery season commences on April 15 News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
See - Sada Elbalad
6 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Italian Region "Tuscany" Cuts Ties with Israel
Taarek Refaat The Tuscany region of Italy announced the severance of ties with Israel following a vote by the regional council. Earlier, in a speech delivered at a concert held by the Teatro San Carlo Orchestra, conducted by maestro Richard Frezza, in honor of the diplomatic corps accredited to Rome on the occasion of Republic Day, Italian President Sergio Mattarella delivered a powerful humanitarian message about the tragic situation in the Gaza Strip. He described the suffering of the Strip's residents—from children to the elderly—as "inhumane and dangerous," according to the Italian news agency Nova. Mattarella stressed the need for the Israeli army to open the way for international organizations to operate in Gaza, in order to ensure the full flow of humanitarian aid to civilians suffering from hunger and blockade. He warned that the continuation of this situation portends dangerous consequences. The Italian President pointed to what he described as "the erosion of the lands attributed to the Palestinian National Authority," considering this course of action a real threat to the two-state solution. He emphasized that the Palestinians have the right to a recognized homeland within clear borders, while affirming that Israel's security is a fundamental element in any future settlement. He also considered that sowing suffering in the region fuels resentment and threatens to undermine the prospects for political solutions. Mattarella emphasized that "the refusal to apply the standards of international humanitarian law to the people of Gaza is unacceptable," calling for an immediate ceasefire and warning that the current crisis is contributing to the rise of anti-Semitism around the world. In a broader perspective, the Italian President expressed his deep concern about the threats to the decades-old global order, saying that "an international order based on mutual respect is essential to avoid conflicts and direct resources towards the major challenges facing humanity, such as sustainable development." Mattarella also recalled the war in Ukraine, affirming Italy's "firm and resolute" support for Kyiv and emphasizing the importance of working for a "just, comprehensive, and lasting peace." He concluded his remarks by emphasizing that Italian Republic Day, which falls on June 2, embodies the Italian people's choice for peace, freedom, and independence, under the banner of rejecting violence. He emphasized that Italian foreign policy, since the founding of the Republic, has been based on rejecting the concept of "the enemy," encouraging dialogue, and strengthening international organizations that seek to achieve peace and justice. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
