EU Naval Force - Somalia
Operation ATALANTA

On the afternoon of Wednesday 13 January the non-European Union member in EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation Atalanta, HNOMS FRIDTJOF NANSEN returns home after six months on anti piracy patrol.

The last six months have been particularly busy for the ship conducting various tasks including escorting ships of the UN World Food Programme, protecting more vulnerable vessels and deterring and disrupting piracy in the Gulf of Aden and also the Somali Basin. Fridtjof Nansens contribution, especially as a non EU Member State, has been extremely welcome in helping to deal with a difficult and persistent international problem off Somalia.

Rear Admiral Peter Hudson, Operational Commander of EU NAVFOR stated “I am extremely grateful for Fridtjof Nansen’s outstanding contribution to the EU Naval Force and, as a fundamental part of TF 465, the ships and crew have made a telling impact on the operation by reassuring the merchant community of the EU resolve”.

FRIDTJOF NANSEN and the crew are now on their way back to Norway, where they are expected to arrive in the end of January. Commander SG, Ole Morten Sandquist, the ships Commanding officer sais that “It has been very motivating and encouraging to work in such a fine international environment with our companions in the European Union. It is therefore with mixed feelings that we are leaving the force today”.

On the afternoon of Wednesday 13 January the non-European Union member in EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation Atalanta, HNOMS FRIDTJOF NANSEN returns home after six months on anti piracy patrol.