The German government has indicated that a military deployment might be used to protect commercial ships in the Persian Gulf. The German Shipowners’ Association (VDR) received the statements with some puzzlement. According to the VDR, the G7-Germany included-has recently stressed that international efforts are necessary to guarantee safe passage for civilian vessels. It added that Germany should examine all options that could effectively protect ships and crews, noting that simply trusting that no incidents will occur is untenable given the current situation.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) rejected a European military operation to secure the Strait of Hormuz last Friday. Speaking at a Norwegian exercise, he said he did not see what European frigates could achieve there. Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) likewise said that, at present, there is no reason to consider a German military safeguard of sea lanes, adding that Germany is not part of this war and does not wish to become part of it.
The heads of state and government of the G7 met on 11 March to agree on measures to restore free shipping in the Gulf region and to review internationally coordinated protection for merchant vessels. The VDR, citing the German Navy, reported that more than 40 vessels with German links are currently operating in the area, and roughly 1,000 seafarers are aboard these ships.
Estimates place the total number of vessels in the Persian Gulf at over 2,000, about 20 of which have already been attacked, resulting in deaths and injuries. Early Thursday morning, a ship chartered by a German shipping company was struck by a missile; a fire onboard was extinguished.
