EU Naval Force - Somalia
Operation ATALANTA

Representatives from India, China, Japan and Ukraine visited the Operation HQ in Northwood to discuss sharing information between those forces conducting counter piracy activities. Commodore Papaioannou, the Greek Atalanta Force Commander, also visited the Russian Flagship “PETER THE GREAT” in the Gulf of Aden and as a result of his discussions, details of the protection measures the Russian Task Group has put in place have now been published on www.mschoa.org for merchant vessel masters to use.

After his meeting the Commodore explained that “this will provide owners and operators with a wider range of opportunities to travel through the new transit corridor in relative safety…. and I am highly encouraged by the number of different nations and commercial organisations who are now actively involved in contributing towards reducing piracy”.

Reports suggest that the newly positioned “Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor” (IRTC) is working well. It was established on 1 Feb 09 through an agreement between EU NAVFOR, the International Maritime Board (IMB), the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organisation (UKMTO) and the American Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO) to improve navigational safety and reduce the number of hijacking incidents.

This week also saw the release of MV CHEMSTAR VENUS with its 24 man crew and, despite favourable weather conditions, some reduction in pirate activity.