Dear reader,
The month of May began with another piracy incident. The motor tanker EUREKA and her crew, initially hijacked in while at anchor off Qana Port, in Shabwa province, Yemen, were subsequently forced to sail towards the northern coast of Somalia, where they are still remaining in hands of the pirates.
Since the beginning of 2026, a total of ten piracy-related incidents have been recorded, eight of them since April. These include the hijackings of the MT HONOUR 25, MV SWARD, and MT EUREKA. Even though the Operation continues to closely monitor developments and to share relevant information with Somali security forces, particularly the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF), the fact that the three vessels remain anchored inside territorial waters of Somalia, limits in a way ATALANTA full range of options to act. Gathered information will also be disseminated to maritime security partners and the shipping industry, until all incidents have been satisfactorily resolved.
EUNAVFOR ATALANTA calls on shipping operators to strictly adhere to the Best Management Practices (BMP), which ensure the highest level of maritime security, and facilitate an effective response to threats at sea. Notably, the three vessels pirated were found to have not complied with several BMP recommendations, including the voluntary registration at the Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean’s (MSCIO). Compliance with these measures significantly enhances situational awareness, and contributes to the overall security of maritime operations in the region.
Finally, I would like to emphasise that Operation ATALANTA continues to conduct some of its activities beside the counter-piracy efforts. In this regard, I would like to highlight ALDABRA exercise, a capacity enhancement initiative that was conducted in cooperation with the Seychelles Armed Forces, and with the valuable support of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and the Italian Navy.
During its fifth reiteration, the exercise successfully delivered a comprehensive programme of seminars and practical training activities. This achievement was particularly noteworthy given the constraints imposed by the prevailing maritime security situation in the region
Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano
EUNAVFOR ATALANTA Operation Commander
On 6 May, Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano participated in the Heads of Mission meeting, chaired by H.E. Mr Oskar Benedikt, the Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Mauritius and to the Republic of Seychelles.
The Operation Commander briefed on the relation between Operation ATALANTA and the Republic of Seychelles, built on a shared commitment to maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean. He emphasised the excellent cooperation with the Seychelles Defence Forces, maritime authorities, the Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC), and the Chief of Defence Staff of the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF). He also underlined the importance of operational coordination in support of maritime security. Furthermore, Seychelles play a crucial role in the legal prosecution of suspected pirates, with continued support from Operation ATALANTA. As part of this longstanding partnership, ATALANTA and the Seychelles Defence Forces conduct the annual ALDABRA exercise, that aims at enhancing maritime security capabilities and strengthening regional cooperation.
On 25 May, a delegation of 27 EU Ambassadors accredited to Spain visited the EUNAVFOR ATALANTA Operation Headquarters in Rota Naval Base. H.E. Michalis Ioannou initiated the visit in the framework of the EU Presidency held by Cyprus. Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva, welcomed the distinguished visitors, and briefed them on the current state of play of the Operation.
After the briefing, Deputy Commander, Rear Admiral Paolo Fantoni showed the delegation the ES-OHQ, the different branches, and the Joint Operation Centre.
Later, the delegation was transferred to the Spanish frigate SANTA MARIA, where they received a briefing on the ship’s capabilities. ESPS SANTA MARIA participated recently in Operation ATALANTA, the Commanding Officer and crew shared their experiences and insights from their deployment at the Western Indian Ocean.
On 2 May, Operation ATALANTA received a report of a piracy incident involving the motor tanker EUREKA while at anchor off the port of Qana, in Shabwa (Yemen). Armed individuals boarded the vessel and took control of it. The ship is currently off the coast of Somalia, and is being closely monitored by ATALANTA forces in coordination with regional partners.
This incident follows previous piracy cases of the MT HONOUR 25 and the MV SWARD. Both cases are still continuing. The Operation continues also to share relevant information with Somali security forces, in particular with the Puntland Maritime Police Force, as well as with maritime security partners and the shipping industry, as long as necessary.
On 5 May 2026, during a logistic stopover of the EUNAVFOR ATALANTA flagship ITS BIANCHI in Djibouti, ATALANTA Force Commander, Rear Admiral Daniele Paolo Martinuzzi, paid a visit to the Japan Self-Defence Force Base in Djibouti. He was welcomed by Colonel Fumihito Tanaka, chief of the Japanese base.
The cooperation with the Japanese forces in the Area of Operation is very close and productive, particularly within the framework of cooperation with CMF, a force in which Japan actively participates in counter-piracy.
From 13 to 18 May, EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA and the Seychelles Defence Forces conducted the first phase of the joint exercise “ALDABRA V” in Victoria, Seychelles. This advanced training activity aims at promoting cooperation between EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, Seychelles Defence Forces, and the Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC). In addition, the exercise was supported by partners in the Indian Ocean, such as the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), the Italian Navy instructors from the ITN Training Centre, the EU project Critical Maritime Routes in the Indian Ocean (CRIMARIO), and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
In the 2026 reiteration of ALDABRA, the exercise has been divided into two phases. The first phase consisted of seminars, practical exercises on Damage Control on board the Seychelles Coast Guard patrol vessel ANDROMACHE, a simulated piracy scenario led by RCOC together with CRIMARIO, and activities with the TAZAR elite forces of the Seychelles Defence Forces. The second phase will involve a live exercise in late June, during which all the lessons covered in the first phase will be put into practice, with assets from ATALANTA and the Seychelles Defence Forces deployed jointly.
On 18 May, ATALANTA’s ESPS CANARIAS was supported by the French Navy logistics vessel JACQUES CHEVALLIER by conducting a refuelling at sea manoeuvre (RAS).
Keeping ATALANTA units present and operational in areas where piracy incidents occur is essential to maximise response effectiveness. Refuelling at sea facilitates the sustained presence required to address a prolonged high-risk situation.
On 29 May, the Operation ATALANTA asset ESPS CANARIAS and the Japanese warship JS YUUDACHI, in support of the Combined Maritime Forces, conducted a joint activity at sea. The exercise came within the framework of the close cooperation and mutual trust between both forces, which are fully committed to counter piracy in the Western Indian Ocean.
On 6 May, Operation ATALANTA personnel deployed in Djibouti took part in the preparation phase of Exercise BULL SHARK 2026. They were working along with Djiboutian Armed Forces personnel and international partners, such as US and Japan. The playbook included a joint response to potential actions by armed groups, which were seeking to exploit the vulnerabilities after a major cyclone. Planning, coordination, and international cooperation are the foundation of an effective reaction when any minute counts.
On 7 May, the Djiboutian Coast Guard Commander, Colonel Waiss Omar Bogoreh, paid a visit to the ATALANTA ORION Detachment. He was able to learn first-hand about the means of the detachment, as well as the personnel who serve in the unit.
Since the launch of the Operation, the Djiboutian Coast Guard and ATALANTA have strengthened ties and improved the maritime security in region, in their shared commitment to protect vessels and sailors.
On 19 May, Operation ATALANTA Deputy Commander had the opportunity to meet the Italian Military Naval Pentathlon team on the occasion of the 8th International Naval Pentathlon Tournament held at the Spanish Armada sports facilities in San Fernando (Spain). They participated together with the Spanish Armada, Spanish Army, and the Spanish Civil Guard teams, along with international teams from Brazil and Turkey.
The Naval Pentathlon is a sport comprising five events, each involving completely different disciplines, and oriented towards the daily activities that occur in the Navy. These events are: obstacle course, rescue swimming, seamanship (rowing), utility swimming (125 metres of swimming with fins while negotiating various obstacles) and amphibious cross-country (which, based on the run, includes laser pistol shooting, rowing and grenade throwing).
On 21 May, the cooperation between ATALANTA ORION detachment personnel and the French Air Base 188 “Colonel Massart” in Djibouti, is a clear example of operational efficiency and mutual understanding. Constant coordination between both forces allows procedures to be aligned, resources so be shared, and missions to be met with agility. This coordination shows that when two allied nations combined their capabilities in a flexible and complementary way, the result is greater than the sum of its parts. Professionalism, commitment, and result in the service of security of our vessels and global stability.
On 26 May, Midshipmen from the Spanish Naval Academy visited the Operation ATALANTA Headquarters. They attended a briefing on the progress and objectives of the Operation, gaining a deeper understanding of Europe’s role in maritime security operations.
This visit is part of the midshipmen’s end-of-year trip, which includes other visits of educational, historical, and operational interest related to the capabilities and missions of the Spanish Armada.
In May, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA was supported by ships from Spain, Italy, and France.
On 9 May, European Union Military Committee hosted the EU CSDP military missions and operations stand, including Operation ATALANTA, during the celebration of the Europe day in the EEAS Headquarters in Brussels.
The Operation ATALANTA liaison officer in Brussels, along with several personnel from the EU Military Committee and CSDP missions and operations, interacted with the public throughout the day, highlighting the extremely importance of EU CSDP missions and operations, as well as the commitment and dedication that soldiers and sailor demonstrate every day as part of the European Union’s core values.
On 9 and 10 May, the EUNAVFOR ATALANTA personnel deployed in the area of operation participated in the celebration of the Europe day, which was hosted by the EU Delegations in Djibouti and Somalia.
ATALANTA is a highly significant tool for supporting the European Union’s diplomatic initiatives and efforts in the countries within its area of operations, in particular those of the European Union delegations.
In May, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA celebrated the following national day:
