The German shipping association (VDR) took note of the government’s statements about a possible military deployment to protect merchant vessels in the Persian Gulf with a degree of scepticism. According to the VDR, the G‑7, including Germany, has repeatedly stressed that only international cooperation can guarantee the safe passage of civilian ships-a point the VDR communicated to “Der Spiegel”.
The government also urged Germany to look into “all options that can effectively safeguard ships and crews”. It warned that merely trusting that no incidents will occur is “not a viable strategy given the current situation”.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) rejected the idea of a European naval force securing the Strait of Hormuz, saying he does not see what European frigates could still accomplish there. Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) echoed that, stating that at present there is “no reason to think about military protection of shipping lanes” and emphasised that “Germany is not part of this war and does not want to become”.
On March 11, heads of state and government from the G‑7 agreed to prepare measures aimed at restoring free shipping in the Gulf region and to consider internationally coordinated protection for commercial vessels. The VDR, citing the German navy, said that more than 40 German‑connected ships are currently operating in the area.
About 1,000 crew members are on board these vessels. In total, more than 2,000 ships are estimated to be trapped in the Persian Gulf, roughly 20 of which have already been attacked, resulting in deaths and injuries. Early Thursday morning, for the first time, a ship chartered by a German shipping company was struck by a missile; a fire aboard was promptly extinguished.