- EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA confirms the successful coordination and facilitation of the liberation of a Bulk Carrier GOLDEN ARSENAL that suffered a pirate attack at approximately 110NM Northeast of Bosaso, Somalia.
- From the first report, Operation ATALANTA, through its Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean (MSCIO), acted as the direct maritime-security point of contact for the vessel and her Company Security Officer, while coordinating the response with naval and regional partners operating in the area.
EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA confirms that MV GOLDEN ARSENAL is safe and has resumed navigation following a pirate attack in the Gulf of Aden, approximately 110 nautical miles Northeast of Bosaso, Somalia.
On 01 July, ATALANTA MSCIO received a report from the Company Security Officer of Bulk Carrier GOLDEN ARSENAL indicating that the vessel had been attacked by armed persons, reportedly equipped with assault rifles and RPGs. The Master reported that the crew had implemented Best Management Practices for Maritime Security (BMP-MS), stopped the vessel, activated the distress alert, and mustered in the citadel.
Operation ATALANTA Headquarters immediately liaised with partners in the area, including Combined Maritime Forces, the Republic of Korea Navy, the Indian Navy, the IFC-IOR, and regional maritime authorities, to support a coordinated response. A Republic of Korea Navy warship proceeded towards the vessel, followed by Indian Navy warship INS TRIKAND, which deployed her helicopter and boarding team.
The Indian Navy boarding team subsequently secured MV GOLDEN ARSENAL, confirmed that no pirates were onboard, and enabled the crew to leave the citadel safely. No injuries were reported although some damages to equipment and structures were observed.
Operation ATALANTA commends the rapid and professional action of the Indian Navy, whose intervention was decisive in securing the vessel and ensuring the safety of the crew. This successful outcome also demonstrates the value of timely reporting, BMP-MS implementation, and coordinated maritime-security response through MSCIO and partner naval forces.
Throughout the event, Operation ATALANTA maintained constant contact with the Master of the vessel and the Company Security Officer (CSO).
Current piracy situation
Based on the current piracy situation, it is considered likely that a Pirate Action Group (PAG) is in the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC).
A second attempted pirate attack to another Merchant Vessel took place in the surrounding area. Currently, there are three ongoing piracy cases in the Somali Basin involving Motor Tanker HONOUR 25, Motor tanker EUREKA and Merchant Vessel SWARD.
Recommendations
Operation ATALANTA strongly encourages merchant and other vulnerable vessels operating in the area to maintain heightened vigilance, adhere to BMP-MS, register in the MSCIO's Voluntary Registration Scheme, to provide the most effective monitoring and response by ATALANTA forces and their partners in countering maritime security threats.
EUNAVFOR ATALANTA remains fully committed to providing maritime security and ensuring the protection of vulnerable vessels in the region. Further assessment and recommendations are provided through the appropriate channels with the shipping operators and updated on the MSCIO website.
