European-Led Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz

The creation of EMASoH as a mission came from the rising tensions in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. In a joint statement on 20 January 2020 announcing the creation of EMASoH, the participating EMASoH countries expressed concern regarding the instable situation in the Gulf region and Strait of Hormuz. The statement notes that the incidents in the region “have been affecting the freedom of navigation and the security of European and non-European vessels and crews in the area for months.”[16] The countries behind the statement worried for a broader conflict with more devastating global consequences and stressed the importance of the freedom of navigation and lowering the tensions in the region.[16]

The goal of the mission is to keep a low-profile and neutral position in the Strait of Hormuz with the intent of de-escalation and reducing tensions in the region.[17] The diplomacy track of EMASoH is fixed in three principles: de-escalation, non-state facing approach, transparency. The mission emphasizes European unity and the protection of European and international economic interests, with an added emphasis on trust and freedom of navigation. EMASoH complies with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It works with other nations, especially the coastal nations in the Strait of Hormuz, and with various international organizations such as the International Maritime Security Construct.[1]

The EMASoH mission primarily protects the contributing EMASoH-participating nation flagged ships. It is possible that the mission protects non-EMASOH flagged ships because a ship may be managed, owned, or operated by companies who are tied to one of these countries.[18]

The Senior Civilian Representative leads the Diplomatic Mission of EMASOH. The representative is chosen by EMASOH’s member-countries.[19] The purpose of the representative is to contribute to EMASoH’s diplomacy pillar of de-escalation and increased maritime security in the region.

AGENOR is the military track/pillar of EMASoH. It has a goal to strengthen EMASoH countries’ understanding in the area and ensure that ship traffic is free flowing.[20] The operation usually consists of two deployed ships, a maritime surveillance aircraft with leadership based in the operations headquarters in Abu Dhabi.[21]

The area of operation for AGENOR is the Strait of Hormuz, the Arabian Sea, the Persian Gulf, and the Gulf of Oman.[22][23]

In the past three years, operation AGENOR has had 33 different assets contribute to the operation: ships, French Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft, and Italian MQ9 drones. Since the establishment of operation AGENOR in 2020, there has been more than 2000 flight hours, 1070 days spent at sea and over 1600 ships reassured.[6]

EMASOH Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA)

EMASoH’s Voluntary Reporting Scheme is an initiative where ships can voluntarily report they are located in the Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA), which is the entire Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and a part of the Arabian Sea. EMASoH reports that this improves the safety and stability of the area, and if a ship voluntarily reports itself, it has priority to be accompanied by EMASoH’s ships and aircraft through its journey in the VRA.[24]

EMASoH gathers and analyzes the AIS data in the region to understand the flow of shipping traffic and patterns of life in the area. The data is analyzed to find the most used destinations and routes, distribution of traffic, and look at the incoming and outgoing traffic of ships. This initiative primarily focuses on European (including Norway) flagged and/or country of financial benefit ships.[25][26]

Reassuring maritime merchant ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf region, and the Arabian Sea is one of the main activities of Operation AGENOR. This includes accompanying merchant vessels while they are in the Strait of Hormuz, guidance of shipping with specialized officers as point of contact for merchant ships, EMASoH maneuver calls (EMMA calls), and surveillance using naval and aerial assets to assess the safety situation.[27]

Belgium has supported EMASoH-AGENOR by sending Belgian frigate BNS Leopold I in April 2021.[28] Belgium also contributes with staff members. The previous Force Commander was Belgian Navy Rear Admiral Renaud Flamant.[29]

Denmark has been sending staff officers starting from 2020. From August to December 2020, Denmark contributed by sending out frigate HDMS Iver Huitfeldt, a MH-60R Seahawk naval helicopter, and soldiers from the military police and maritime special forces. In the first half of 2021, Denmark was in charge of the operation with a stationed commander and contributed significantly to the multinational staff. Iver Huitfeldt re-joined EMASoH again in August 2021 until November 202, after 74 days patrolling at sea. Throughout the entirety of 2022, Denmark has had two staff officers for the operation.[21][30][31]

France led the mission’s creation in 2020 and sends assets to operation AGENOR continuously. France has contributed with staff officers, force commanders, and multiple naval and aircraft assets throughout the mission's existence including: French destroyer FS Languedoc, Atlantique 2 Maritime Patrol Aircraft, FS Jean Bart, FS Guepratte, FS Chevalier Paul, Ulysse Echo, FS Surcouf, and FS Courbet.[32][33][34][35][36][37]

Germany and Portugal support EMASoH and AGENOR largely through symbolic, political support. Germany has not guaranteed support by sending naval or aircraft assets, but has not completely dismissed the idea.[38]

Greece contributes to EMASoH and AGENOR by providing staff members and the HS Hydra.

Italy has contributed by sending staff members, having an Italian Force Commander lead EMASOH and through naval and aircraft assets. They sent frigate ITS Martinengo, UAV MQ-9 Reaper in October 2021, ITS Calrlo Bergamini (F590) in 2022, and ITS Thaon di Revel in 2023. Currently the Force Commander is Italian Navy Rear admiral Mauro Panebianco[39][40][41]

The Netherlands supports EMASoH and AGENOR by providing staff members and naval and aircraft assets. There have been several Dutch staff officers that have worked for the mission since the launch of EMASoH, working with operations, intelligence, logistics and legal matters. The country has also contributed with Royal Netherlands Navy frigate Zr.Ms. De Ruyter, which has advanced sensors and a multi-mission maritime helicopter.[42]

Norway joined the EMASoH mission in September 2021 as the 9th European nation in the mission. Since September 2021, there have been various Norwegian officers stationed at the EMASoH headquarters in Abu Dhabi.[20]