After receiving approval from the German government to join a European Union military mission to assist in protecting shipping in the Red Sea, the German Navy acknowledged that one of its frigates, the 5 800-ton Hessen (F221), was already en route to the region. According to a report by dpa Germany Today, the authorisation provides for a contingent of up to 700 German military personnel to take part in the mission. The EU mission will take part in measures aimed at protecting shipping from attacks by the Houthi militants in northern Yemen. The Houthi’s have been responsible for numerous missile and drone attacks of commercial and naval shipping crossing through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait between the lower Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. All cruise ship activity in the Red Sea has been curtailed and South African ports are experiencing visits by these vessels on hurriedly rearranged itineraries.