European Maritime Awareness in The Strait of Hormuz (EMASOH)

Rising insecurity and instability was witnessed in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz in 2019 with multiple maritime and non-maritime incidents as a result of growing regional tensions. In order to ensure security and support de-escalation in the region, the Governments of Denmark, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, The Netherlands and Portugal established the maritime mission, EMASOH in February 2020.The current situation in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz remains unstable and the present insecurity and instability affects the freedom of navigation and the security of European and non-European vessels in the area.

In the fall of 2020, Denmark deployed the Frigate IVER HUITFELDT to EMASoH, Operation AGENOR, and assumed the multinational military leadership of the operation with a force commander and staff during the first half of 2021. Since 2021 Denmark have contributed with two staff officers to the operational headquarters. EMASOH constitutes a useful instrument in safeguarding the freedom of navigation by ensuring adequate coordination and information sharing mechanisms with all partners operating in the area, including the maritime industry. In full accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the mission provides enhanced maritime situation awareness and surveillance through the deployment of additional maritime surveillance assets in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea.

An equally important effort of the EMASoH is the diplomatic track. EMASOH aims to foster de-escalation and to complement the military efforts with vital diplomatic efforts aiming at ensuring increased stability and an inclusive regional dialogue in a critical context. To this end, the participating countries have nominated a Senior Civilian Representative that has been held by Denmark since august 2020 and who is currently occupied by Ambassador Jakob Brix Tange.