According to Fabrizio Caccia reporting from the Red Sea, Captain Sarah Arrighi commands the Italian Navy missile frigate Carlo Bergamini as part of the European Union’s Eunavfor Aspides operation. In a recent interview, Commander Arrighi stated that her vessel has safely escorted 48 merchant ships through the Bab el-Mandeb strait since June 14, operating in a high-stakes maritime security zone designed to protect commercial traffic from Houthi attacks.
Mission Operations and Red Sea Traffic Conditions
Operating under the European Union mission Eunavfor Aspides—which has been under Greek leadership since July 16—the Carlo Bergamini performs high-tempo escort duties in the region. Every journey lasts roughly 21 hours of navigation at 18 knots, moving from the Gulf of Aden through Bab el-Mandeb to the southern Red Sea, or vice versa depending on whether a merchant vessel heads toward the Mediterranean Sea or the Indian Ocean. Commander Arrighi described current traffic in the Red Sea as regular, while acknowledging that conditions remain a volatile scenario where things can evolve rapidly.
The mission focuses strictly on defensive measures. Arrighi noted that the weapons on board the Carlo Bergamini serve to defend the crew and transiting European commercial vessels from potential attacks. She pointed to previous engagements in the region, noting that in 2024 the Italian frigate Fasan fired 120 cannon rounds against Houthi drone threats, while the naval vessel Duilio subsequently neutralized similar unmanned vehicles using both guns and a missile. The crew of the Carlo Bergamini remains prepared for any contingency, having recently completed three escort operations before initiating a fourth.
Crew Demographics and Naval Leadership
Aboard the Carlo Bergamini, the personnel averages 28 years of age, with women making up 30 percent of the roughly 160 crew members. Commander Arrighi praised the personnel as well-trained professionals who trust each other completely. Born in Castel Goffredo, Mantua, and the daughter of a traffic police officer and a nurse, Arrighi assumed command of the missile frigate on August 10. Her naval career includes commanding the patrol vessel Spica in the Mediterranean starting in 2017.
Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, who chairs the NATO Military Committee, told Corriere that he had heard excellent reports regarding Arrighi. Admiral Enrico Credendino, a retired former Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy and her former superior, characterized her primary attributes as authority, leadership, and the capacity to guide others.
Did You Know? Commander Sarah Arrighi’s first experience as a commanding officer took place in 2017 aboard the patrol vessel Spica in the Mediterranean Sea, long before taking charge of the missile frigate Carlo Bergamini in the Red Sea.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary objective of Operation Eunavfor Aspides?
The European Union mission aims to escort merchant vessels passing through the Red Sea and protect them from attacks launched by the Houthi movement.
How many commercial vessels has the Carlo Bergamini escorted?
According to Commander Arrighi, the frigate has ensured the safe passage of 48 merchant ships through Bab el-Mandeb since June 14.
What are the routine parameters of an escort mission in the area?
Each escort voyage lasts approximately 21 hours, covering navigation at 18 knots from the Gulf of Aden through Bab el-Mandeb to the southern Red Sea or in the reverse direction.
How do you view the role of international naval coalitions in protecting vital commercial shipping routes like the Red Sea?
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