In recent days, a Chinese flotilla has transited through the Mediterranean, composed of a Type 52 destroyer (Luyang III-class destroyer), the Jiaozuo (DDG-163), and the tanker Honghu (Type 903A).
Chinese Navy LUYANG III class destroyer (potential 163) & FUCHI class oiler (potential 630) heading west through the STROG this afternoon #shipsinpics #ships #shipping #shipspotting @WarshipCam@air_intel @seawaves_mag @NavyLookout pic.twitter.com/nX45vfg3Ih
— Daniel Ferro (@Gibdan1) July 9, 2024
This is part of the PLA Navy’s 46th escort task force, which departed from Zhanjiang in South China’s Guangdong Province on February 21. The task force has been engaged in escort activities in the Red Sea over recent months.
The ships arrived in Casablanca, Morocco, yesterday, but it is likely that their final destination is St. Petersburg, Russia, where they will participate in Navy Day celebrations.
Escale technique à Casablanca des navires de la marine chinoise « Jiaozuo » et « Honghu ».🇨🇳🇲🇦🤝 pic.twitter.com/VAOy2VmmTQ
— Ambassade de Chine au Maroc (@ChineAmbMaroc) July 12, 2024
The OSINT community noticed the presence of the Chinese ships in the Mediterranean only when they were about to leave, at Gibraltar, due to the lack of monitoring comparable to that of Gibraltar at the Suez Canal.
It is noteworthy that Chinese naval units have not been recorded in the Mediterranean since at least the end of April 2023.