Bahrain
Norway contributes staff personnel to the Combined Maritime Forces in Bahrain, where they help ensure the safety of maritime traffic in the Red Sea region.
Background
In recent years, the security situation in the Red Sea region has been highly tense, with frequent missile and drone attacks against maritime traffic.
The situation deteriorated further with the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023. At that time, the militant Islamist group in Yemen, the Houthis, launched a series of attacks against the civilian merchant fleet in the Red Sea. Coalition naval vessels operating in the region have also been targeted. According to the Houthi movement, the attacks are intended to support the Palestinians in Gaza.
In 2024, maritime traffic in the Red Sea declined by approximately 60 per cent in less than a year. Since then, traffic has recovered to some extent, but remains lower than prior to the Houthi attacks. Many vessels that previously transited the Suez Canal and/or the Bab al-Mandeb Strait now choose instead to sail around the African continent via the Cape of Good Hope.
What does Norway do?
Norwegian officers contribute to safe and efficient maritime traffic in the Red Sea. Since 2001, the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) have worked to ensure the security of civilian shipping in the region. Norway has participated in CMF since 2013. As of 2026, Norway has three staff officers assigned to the CMF headquarters in Bahrain.
The Norwegian contribution has two primary functions. First, Norwegian staff officers possess unique and highly sought-after expertise in coordination and information-sharing, known as Naval Co-operation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS). They ensure that civilian shipping is coordinated with military maritime traffic. The second function of the Norwegian staff officers is to act as liaisons between the CMF, the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association, and Norwegian authorities.
At any given time, there are a large number of vessels with Norwegian affiliations operating in the affected area. It is important to ensure that these vessels have accurate situational awareness, enabling them to transit the Red Sea safely.
The Norwegian staff officers support efforts to ensure freedom of navigation and safe passage through their specialised expertise. They deploy unarmed and will not conduct the use of force. The staff officers remain under Norwegian national command authority.
About CMF
The Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) are headquartered in Bahrain and work to uphold the rules-based international order in the Red Sea. This is achieved by countering activities carried out by illegal non-state actors and by promoting security, stability and prosperity in one of the world’s most important maritime regions. Norway is one of 47 member nations, alongside close allies such as Denmark, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany, as well as countries including Malaysia, the Philippines, Kenya, India and Iraq.
CMF coordinates activities and the interaction between military and civilian maritime traffic in order to protect civilian sea lines of communication. All contributing vessels remain under their respective national command.
In December 2023, the United States took the initiative to establish a dedicated task force to address the significantly increased threat to civilian shipping in the Red Sea. This was done through the launch of Operation Prosperity Guardian. Several CMF member nations participate in the operation with various types of contributions.
Prior to Christmas 2023, the Norwegian Government decided to contribute by reinforcing Norway’s participation in CMF with up to ten staff officers. As of 2026, Norway has three staff officers stationed in Bahrain.
Countering Piracy
The organisation is led by a headquarters, the Combined Maritime Forces Headquarters, which commands several operational task forces: Combined Task Forces (CTF) 150 to 154.
CTF 150 is responsible for countering maritime terrorism. In practice, this involves preventing terrorist organisations from generating revenue through the smuggling of narcotics and weapons.
CTF 151 is tasked with counter-piracy operations. This task force works closely with the EU Naval Force and its Operation Atalanta, which has the same mandate and mission. CTF 151 primarily patrols the internationally established transit corridor through the Gulf of Aden, the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and into the Red Sea, as well as along the east coast of Somalia, in order to ensure freedom of navigation and protect global maritime trade.
CTF 152 is responsible for maritime security operations within the Persian Gulf. The task force was established in 2004 and consists primarily of vessels from the Gulf states of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. The force is supported by US and UK vessels. Its maritime activities focus primarily on capacity-building. Through joint sailing, exercises and training, the aim is to strengthen maritime cooperation among the Gulf states.
CTF 153 is responsible for maritime security in the Red Sea.
CTF 154 is responsible for maritime security training.
