French Frigate Downs Drone Threatening CMA CGM Boxship in Bab el-Mandeb
The French frigate Languedoc destroyed a surveillance drone near the CMA CGM Champs Elysees.
The French Navy destroyed an unmanned aerial vehicle near a commercial container ship in one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints earlier this month. According to the French Armed Forces General Staff, the frigate Languedoc fired on the drone during the night of October 1-2 after determining it posed a threat to the CMA CGM Champs Elysees, which was transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait under escort.
The drone, which surveillance equipment was believed to be carrying, flew over a cluster of merchant vessels that included the CMA CGM ship and at least one MSC container vessel. In response, the CMA CGM Champs Elysees altered both its speed and course. The incident was later disclosed by Le Monde on October 15.
The container ship, which departed Singapore on September 20, had passed through the Suez Canal on October 3 and was scheduled to reach Le Havre, France, on October 16. Its route reflects the continued reliance on the Red Sea corridor despite escalating security risks.
French Frigate Intercepts Drone Near CMA CGM Vessel in Bab el-Mandeb Strait
The drone interception has intensified unease among seafarers. The CFDT union, which represents CMA CGM officers, reported a noticeable increase in crew members refusing to sail through the Red Sea following the incident. Delphine de Franco, a union representative, confirmed that more mariners were expressing reluctance to transit the area. The union raised the issue during a company health, safety, and working conditions committee meeting on October 7 and has urged CMA CGM to consider alternative routes when feasible.
CMA CGM stated that all transits occur only with the consent of the crew involved. The company also highlighted its ongoing communication with French authorities and daily engagement with crews and unions. Financial incentives are in place: seafarers who agree to sail through the Red Sea receive a €1,500 war bonus, reflecting the area’s designation as a war zone by the International Bargaining Forum since March 2024. This classification grants mariners the right to refuse passage and claim additional compensation.
The drone incident is not an isolated case. On May 5, the CMA CGM San Antonio was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in injuries to eight crew members. Such attacks have contributed to a broader pattern of disruption in the region, where Yemen’s Houthi movement has targeted commercial shipping.
Crew Concerns and Industry Adjustments
The European Union’s EUNAVFOR Aspides mission, launched in 2024 to protect vessels from Houthi attacks, has faced operational challenges. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas noted on October 8 that more ships required escorts, though the mission’s goal of deploying 10 warships remains unmet, with only two or three currently available. This shortfall has left commercial fleets increasingly dependent on national naval forces, such as the French Navy, for protection.
Geopolitical tensions in the region persist. On September 24, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the deployment of defensive military support to Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, to safeguard its port and oil terminal. The move followed Houthi threats against Saudi interests, though CMA CGM has clarified that it operates no Saudi-registered vessels, despite its investments in Saudi ports, including Jeddah.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea and provides access to the Suez Canal, remains a vital artery for global trade. Before disruptions began in 2023, the canal handled approximately 30% of the world’s container traffic. While recent incidents have not halted shipping entirely, they underscore the fragile balance between maritime security and the uninterrupted flow of goods.
Sign up free to ask CAMAL AI for a summary, the key points or anything else about this story.
Related stories
CAMAL AI
Financial Ports Newsletter
The maritime economy, every morning
Ports, shipping and freight markets in one short email. Free.
