EU Naval Force - Somalia
Operation ATALANTA

On the 28th of January, the World Food Programme (WFP) Motor Vessel M/V MASAR TRADE started her transit north from Mogadishu to Berbera, a port in northern Somalia, in order to deliver goods and humanitarian aid.

At the beginning of her transit, she was escorted by the EUNAVFOR Greek warship HS SALAMIS. On 6th of February, the EU NAVFOR German warship FGS EMDEN took over this responsibility, in proximity of Socotra Island, and escorted the M/V to the northern Somali port of Berbera. On completion of cargo unloading, the vessel was escorted back to southern Somalia by EMDEN.

During both escorts, EUNAVFOR Warship FGS EMDEN transferred a Vessel Protection Detachment (VPD) to the M/V MASAR TRADE. VPDs provide extra protection to these slow vulnerable ships whilst sailing the pirate infested waters off Somalia.

Under protection of the Naval Forces there were no incidents during both transits along the coast.The master of M/V MASAR TRADE was grateful for the assistance provided by EUNAVFOR and stated that “It is the first time that I have felt safe while sailing in Somali waters”.

EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation Atalanta’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the ‘World Food Program’ (WFP) and vessels of AMISOM, and to protect vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and to deter and disrupt piracy. EUNAVFOR also monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.