Dear reader,
We have reached the end of a very intense year for Operation ATALANTA. I am proud to say that, despite the many challenges we still have to face, we have succeeded in achieving all our goals and overcoming the many challenges we have encountered during these 12 months.
Since the beginning of the year, the increase in piracy activity off the coast of Somalia demonstrated the ability and willingness of piracy networks to act if an opportunity exists. The geostrategic instability in this complex region of the world has favored this opportunity. However, both ATALANTA and its partners in the fight against piracy and in close collaboration with Somali authorities and forces, we have tackled effectively to all incidents. The latest case involving a Chinese fishing vessel is still ongoing, and has been monitored from the beginning by the Operation, in coordination with the appropriate Somali and Chinese authorities. Despite the complexity of this event, ATALANTA remains firmly committed to eradicate this threat from the waters of the Western Indian Ocean.
This month I had the honor of co-chair the Shared Awareness and De-confliction Conference (SHADE) in its 52nd iteration. The event was organized and co-chaired by ATALANTA and the Combined Maritime Force. This was a unique opportunity to gather representatives from the shipping industry, sharing valuable insights that make us improve and take steps towards to a more secure seas for navigation. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Vice Admiral Wikoff and his excellent staff for hosting the event, and all the participants who have made it possible for this edition to be a great success once again.
The year has ended with the extension of the Operation's mandate. The Council of the European Union once again demonstrates its full trust in ATALANTA, extending its mandate and reinforcing ATALANTA task as maritime security provider in the Indian Ocean. Furthermore, the Council has ratified the evolution of our Maritime Security Center Horn of Africa, which is now called Maritime Security Center Indian Ocean (MSCIO), adapting to the new demands in maritime security that this challenging region of the world requires. This evolution includes a new website that ensures a more fluid, agile, direct and efficient interaction with the shipping industry and its vessels transiting these waters.
Finally, I would like to wish all the men and women who make our Operation a success a New Year's greetings. From the sea, from all the corners where our people works tirelessly, congratulations for the work done and my best wishes for the New Year 2025.
Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano
EUNAVFOR ATALANTA Operation Commander
From 16 to 17 December, the 52nd edition of SHADE (Shared Awareness and De- confliction) Conference took place in Manama (Bahrain) .The Conference was chaired by the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and co-chaired by Operation ATALANTA. It gathered professionals and experts engaged in maritime security in the Indian Ocean and adjacent seas.
During the first day, the opening remarks of SHADE 52nd were delivered by Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Commander Vice Admiral Wikoff and Operation ATALANTA Operation Commander Vice Admiral Villanueva.
Then, representatives from the shipping industry shared valuable insights on the region and outlined the information requirements. Additionally, representatives from the Academia presented their analysis of the current political and military situation related to maritime security in the area.
For this 52nd iteration, participants elaborated relevant topics in three working groups: Information Sharing, Operations and Intelligence.
At the end of November, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA began to closely monitoring a Chinese fishing vessel off the North-east coast of Puntland, Somalia, allegedly hijacked, and continued monitoring throughout December. The first alert on the event was received from the Puntland Maritime Police Force and the fishing vessel has remained permanently within the territorial waters of Somalia.
Following the detection by EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, assets were in the vicinity of the Chinese fishing vessel to increase situational awareness and gather information, confirming that the fishing vessel was under the control of the alleged pirates, some of whom carried assault rifles and machine guns. Regarding the crewmembers, there were up to 18 people. None were reported injured. After investigation, the event was classified as ARMED ROBBERY AT SEA (piracy case within territorial waters).
Since that time, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA has been monitoring the incident and keeping in permanent contact with the appropriate Somali and Chinese authorities, as well as with the Delegation of the European Union to Somalia.
On 12 December, Portuguese Commodore Alexandre Serrano assumed the second tour of the command of the 48th rotation as Force Commander of the European Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) ATALANTA. He Took command of Task Force 465 from Portuguese Commodore Armando Pereira da Costa Valente Tinoco who was in command since 15 October 2024. The hand over event took place on board the EUNAVFOR ATALANTA flagship, Spanish ship SANTA MARIA, in the Sultan Qaboos Port in Muscat, Oman.
The ceremony was chaired by the EUNAVFOR ATALANTA Deputy Operation Commander Rear Admiral Domenico Guglielmi, who conveyed his highest appreciation for his commitment to the outgoing Force Commander and wish the best for the incoming Force Commander. The event was also attended by the Head of Maritime Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman together with six Ambassadors and three Depury Ambassadors.
On 15 December, Operation ATALANTA flagship ESPS SANTA MARIA conducted a joint activity at sea with the Japanese ship JS MURASAME from Combined Maritime Forces. The activities carried out during the exercise included the coordination between their air assets. Helicopters from both warships reinforced mutual understanding of specific procedures for radio contact, landing and take-off.
Both forces play a vital role to counter piracy and secure the international maritime trade routes in the Western Indian Ocean.
On 20 December, EUNAVFOR flagship ESPS SANTA MARIA escorted the World Food Programme vessel MV DOLORES during her transit in the area of operation.
The protection of WFP vessels and other vulnerable vessels remains at the core of the ATALANTA mandate. Since its inception, under the protection of EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, WFP vessels have succeeded in delivering 100% of the humanitarian aid in the region.
On 5 December, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA shared the threat update bulletin displayed on the MSCHOA website. The bulletin included infographic data, a list of cases and the assessment of the EUNAVFOR ATALANTA analytic personnel on the recent event involving a Chinese fishing vessel.
Moreover, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA social media promotes the Best Management Practices n.5 (BMP5) implementation as part of planning a safe maritime route. The Voluntary Registration Scheme is one of the BMP5 recommendations that ATALANTA encourages to meet when vessels are transiting the Western Indian Ocean.
The Operation monitors the region’s situation 24/7 and provides information about the Area of Operations supporting the security of merchant vessels.
On 5 December, EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA liaison officer in Somalia attended the inauguration of new Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Mogadishu. This crucial project has been supported by EUCAP Somalia, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA's sister mission in Somalia.
The Federal Government of Somalia, inaugurated the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) at the Somali Police Force’s Department of Coast Guard headquarters in Mogadishu Port. This centre marks a significant step forward in ensuring maritime safety and strengthening Somalia's capacity to respond to emergencies at sea.
On 6 December, Operation ATALANTA representative participated in the “Comprehensive Maritime Security Operations Course” of the MARSEC COE in Istanbul, Türkiye.
He delivered the lecture on the topic “Lessons Learned, Best Practices from Maritime Security Operations” that focused on EUNAVFOR ATALANTA ongoing operations and the lessons learned from case studies of Protection of World Food Programme and other Vulnerable Shipping; deterrence, prevention and repression of piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Area of Operation; contribution to the disruption of drug and weapons trafficking; monitoring of the Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing; and contribution to Maritime Security Infrastructure.
On 10 December, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA Operation Commander Vice Admiral Villanueva Serrano hold a new encounter with students to present Operation ATALANTA. In this occasion invited by “Complutense” Diplomatic Society from University Complutense of Madrid. He focused on the tasks of the operation and latest piracy cases in the area providing a comprehensive understanding of the subject to the students.
During the month of December, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA integrated ships from Spain, Italy and France in different support levels.
The Council updated the mandate of Operation ATALANTA to contribute to maritime security in the West Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea, and better support building a wider regional maritime security architecture. With the new mandate, the Operation will continue to fight piracy and reduce illicit trafficking at sea. Synergies with the maritime Operation ASPIDES, currently protecting merchant shipping in the Red Sea, will be enhanced. In parallel, the Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa (MSHOA), supporting both ATALANTA and ASPIDES, is being rebranded as MSC Indian Ocean (MSCIO) and its role is being reinforced.
