EUNAVFOR

EU Naval Force - Somalia
Operation ATALANTA

News Archive - March 2009

Op Atalanta Force Commander meets his Chinese Counterpart

March 30, 2009 - 17:49

In an very open gesture of mutual cooperation and understanding the European Union Force Commander Commodore Antonios Papaioannou from the Hellenic Navy was invited onboard the destroyer WUHAN to meet Rear Admiral DU JINGCHEN the commander of the Chinese anti-piracy operation off Somalia. The meeting, which took place onboard the Chinese Flagship in the Gulf […]

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Seven Pirates in Custody after attacking EU Vessel

March 30, 2009 - 11:42

Events in the Gulf of Aden took an unexpected turn this weekend when the German Naval Tanker FGS SPESSART, that is currently attached to EU NAVFOR from NATO, was attacked 85 miles north of Bosasso yesterday afternoon. The attacking skiff fled after the warship returned small arms fire and then gave chase with helicopter support […]

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Two Tankers Hijacked in the Somali Basin

March 26, 2009 - 17:51

Two European owned chemical tankers have been hijacked in the Somali basin in the past 24 hours. A 9,000 tonne Greek owned Panamanian registered vessel with its 19 crew was attacked approximately 450 miles east of Kismaayo yesterday afternoon. The 23,000 tonne Norwegian owned and Bahamian registered vessel and its 27 crew was also captured 250 […]

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NATO Teams up with EU NAVFOR

March 26, 2009 - 16:29

Two German ships from NATO have joined Op Atalanta in the Gulf of Aden this week; the frigate FGS EMDEN and the tanker FGS SPESSART. The vessels have been detached from NATO’s Standing Naval Maritime Group One (SNMG1) which is on deployment to the Far East and are expected to remain under EU NAVFOR’s command […]

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Bulk Carrier Hijacked

March 19, 2009 - 17:57

A 43,000 tonne Greek owned bulk carrier, the MV TITAN was hijacked earlier this afternoon while transiting eastbound through the IRTC in the Gulf of Aden. The EU NAVFOR French Frigate FS FLOREAL, which was 30nm from the TITAN at the time of the attack, investigated a suspicious vessel that was detected near the scene of […]

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The United Kingdom’s Minister for The Armed Forces visits EU NAVFOR Headquarters in Northwood

March 19, 2009 - 16:20

On Wednesday, the British Op Atalanta Commander Rear Admiral Phillip Jones welcomed the UK Minister for The Armed Forces, The Rt Hon Bob Ainsworth MP, to the EU NAVFOR operations headquarters in Northwood. During his visit, the Minister was given a comprehensive operational update and guided tour of the headquarters, where he thanked for their […]

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First EU-handover of suspected pirates to Kenya

March 11, 2009 - 16:30

For the first time a vessel of the EU Naval Force Atalanta handed over arrested pirates to the Kenyan authorities for prosecution. Nine suspected pirates were arrested by the crew of the German frigate FGS RHEINLAND-PFALZ one week ago on 03rd March after their unsuccessful attack on the merchant vessel MV COURIER in the Gulf of […]

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A German Rendezvous

March 8, 2009 - 16:19

The Op Atalanta German frigate FGS RHEINLAND-PFALZ made an unofficial rendezvous with the German cruise liner MS DEUTSCHLAND as she traveled through the Gulf of Aden yesterday. The cruise liner was en route from Salalah and registered with MSCHOA but needed little in the way of protection due to the size of her free board and […]

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Italian corvette to join EU Naval Force Atalanta

March 7, 2009 - 11:34

The Italian Navy has officially announced that the corvette ITS COMMANDANTE BETTICA, will join the EU Naval Force operating off the coast of Somalia this week. The warship will join the Force on 07th March 2009 and is expected to remain with Op Atalanta for the most of the month. The vessel is one of […]

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European Union Signs Prosecution Agreement with Kenya

March 6, 2009 - 12:54

A legal agreement was announced today allowing suspected pirates detained by the European Union Naval Force Atalanta to be prosecuted in Kenyan courts and if found guilty sentenced to imprisonment in their jails. This agreement will enhance the EU ability to bring pirates to justice without having to transfer the suspects back to the flag state […]

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