EU Naval Force - Somalia
Operation ATALANTA

The Bulk Carrier Filitsa, hijacked in the Somali Basin on 11 November 2009, has been released after payment of a ransom.  The Marshall Island Flag Filitsa, with her crew of 22 (19 Filipino and 3 Greek) had been held at the pirate stronghold of Hobyo, on the Somali coast.

Before proceeding on her way the ship required fuel to continue her journey. EU NAVFOR Greek warship Salamis, who was in the area at the time, provided support to the ship and barrels of fuel were transferred.The crew were confirmed to be well and the ship has now continue her voyage.

EUNAVFOR SOMALIA Operation ATALANTA main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the ‘World Food Program’ (WFP), to protect vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and to deter and disrupt piracy.