Equipment arrived on Tuesday for onward transit
Military equipment being unloaded at the port of Setúbal since Tuesday is intended to “strengthen the response and deterrence capacity of American forces on European soil,” the Armed Forces General Staff (EMGFA) has announced today.
“The operations underway in the port of Setúbal are part of Atlantic Resolve, a US initiative launched in 2014, which aims to strengthen the response and deterrence capacity of US forces on European soil, while also promoting interoperability with European NATO member states,” said an EMGFA spokesperson, in response to questions from Lusa news agency.
“During the current month of November, this activity includes logistical operations to receive and transport US military assets and equipment, destined for the European continent,” added the official source, adding that this is ‘a normal procedure, which takes place in various ports on the European continent’.
In its reply to Lusa, EMGFA also recalls that “in December 2023, also as part of the Atlantic Resolve, equipment was retracted from US forces in Europe, which returned by sea to the US, passing through the port of Setúbal”.
An unofficial source at the port said today that the military equipment that arrived on board the US ship Endurance is in the process of being transported to Poland, with its final destination being Ukraine – information that has not been officially confirmed by the Setúbal and Sesimbra Port Administration (APSS).
Contacted by the Lusa, APSS declined to provide any clarification on the operation in progress, confirming only that it was taking place at the Sadopor port terminal.
Today’s edition of the regional newspaper O Setubalense reports that the military equipment being unloaded is to be transported overland to Poland and that its final destination was Ukraine, which is approaching its third year of trying to repel the illegal invasion of its territory by Russia in February of 2022.
The newspaper also states, based on information available on the Marine Traffic website, that the Endurance was carrying “cargo reserved directly for the United States military”, and that it set sail on October 5 from the port of Beaumont, Texas.
In a report earlier this week about the activity at Setúbal port, the paper described “uniformed north american military” and “unloading operations of military and armoured vehicles”.
According to the newspaper, the Endurance arrived at the end of October at the port of Vlissingen in the Netherlands, from where it left for the port of Setúbal on November 1 – the very day that the United States Department of Defense unveiled a new military aid package aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s defence against Russian forces.
The package includes advanced air defense systems, anti-tank munitions, and a fresh batch of Stryker wheeled armored vehicles.
This announcement “marks a continuation of the U.S.’s unwavering support as the conflict with Russia persists, offering Ukraine key assets to defend against air and ground threats”, said armyrecognition.com. It also underscores the fact that, even with a new president elect, the current administration remains ‘in control’ until the handover of power in January, 2025.
Source material: LUSA/ O Setubalense/ armyrecognition.com
