Dear reader,
During the month of May, the operation focused on three courses of action simultaneously to continue strengthening the role of ATALANTA as a provider of maritime security in the Indian Ocean. These three courses were a joint exercise at sea with the Indian Navy as well as a port visit of EUNAVFOR ATALANTA assets to Mumbai; the ALDABRA IV maritime capacity enhancement exercise in the Seychelles; and finally, my visit to the headquarters of the World Food Programme in Rome.
The exercises at sea and the port visit in Mumbai is the culmination of a joint planning effort we had with the Indian Navy, following my visit in last April. This extraordinary success, decisively supported by the EEAS and the EU Delegation in India, allows us to strengthen our relationship with this Nation, a crucial player in maritime security in the Indian Ocean. More specifically, I am convinced that by training together, we will be more effective in fighting maritime illegal activities, particularly for piracy.
Continuing with the second course of action, the maritime capacity enhancement ALDABRA IV exercise is a bilateral activity, co-organised with the Seychelles Armed Forces. These series of advanced exercises allows us not only to improve coordination between ATALANTA and the Seychelles Armed Forces, but also to strengthen our crucial relationship with the Seychelles authorities and highlight our permanent support in their fight against maritime threats in this region.
Finally, the third event I would like to mention is my official visit to Rome to meet with Mrs. Valerie Guarnieri, WFP Assistant Executive Director for Programme Operations. The relationship between ATALANTA and the WFP dates back to the beginning of the operation, and the protection of ships delivering humanitarian aid in this region has always been at the core of our mandate. We are very proud to have been able to protect the delivery of more than 3 million tonnes of food and humanitarian aid during the more than 16 years of ATALANTA, and we remain firmly committed to continuing to support the WFP in this vital mission.
Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano
EUNAVFOR ATALANTA Operation Commander
On 07 May, Operation ATALANTA Operation Commander, Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano visited the World Food Programme (WFP) Headquarters in Rome, where he met WFP Assistant Executive Director for Programme Operations, Mrs. Valerie Guarnieri. With the collaboration extended to 2027, the aim of the meeting was to reinforce this cooperation, based on common objectives, and identify ways to improve operational support to WFP as it delivers lifesaving humanitarian aid to Somalia.
During his visit to Rome, Operation ATALANTA Commander, met with the Commander of the Italian Command for Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Giovanni Maria Iannucci, and with the EUNAVFOR IRINI Operation Commander, Rear Admiral Valentino Rinaldi.
In both meetings, Operation Commander highlighted the cooperation and strong relationship between EU CSDP operations and the Italian Forces, including EUNAVFOR ATALANTA.
From 12 to 14 May, Operation ATALANTA Deputy Commander, Rear Admiral Francisco Javier Vázquez Sanz, participated in the 2025 Maritime security conference organized by Combined Maritime Forces in Manama, Bahrain.
During the conference, he provided a briefing on the updates of Operation ATALANTA as a maritime security provider in the Western Indian Ocean and the main challenges faced.
On 20 May, Operation ATALANTA Commander participated in the Combined Naval Event in London (UK). He briefed the distinguish audience on key updates and main insights of the Operation.
The chairman of the event, Duncan Potts CB, Former Commander UK Maritime Forces - Royal Navy, was Operation Commander of EUNAVFOR ATALANTA in 2011.
From 3 to 5 May, Operation ATALANTA forces participated in exercise BULL SHARK 25-2, led by the US Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA).
This joint air, land, and sea personnel recovery exercise enhances interoperability, strengthens partnerships, and improves crisis response capabilities essential to maintaining regional security and stability across East Africa. Djiboutian, French, and Japanese forces also participated in the exercise.
From 12 to 16 May. EUNAVFOR ATALANTA conducted the local maritime capacity enhancement exercise ALDABRA IV. This is a bilateral activity, co-organized with the Seychelles Armed Forces and aims to enhance interoperability between the two forces.
The first part of ALDABRA IV was composed of theoretical and practical seminars on Maritime Domain Awareness, Legal, Search and Rescue Seminar and Maritime Operations.
The second part were tactical drills on Search and Rescue and maritime operations, and Visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) activities.
On 15 May, Operation ATALANTA’s ESPS REINA SOFIA received on board the Seychelles Defence Force Council, led by the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Brigadier General Jean Attala in the framework of the ALDABRA IV exercise in Seychelles.
The Commanding Officer of ESPS REINA SOFIA, Commander Salvador Moreno, presented the ship’s capabilities, and the delegation took a tour of the frigate. An opportunity to enhance the relationship between Operation ATALANTA and the Seychelles Defence Forces and to increase the already existing fruitful cooperation
On 17 and 18 May, following the ALDABRA IV exercise, ATALANTA and Seychelles Armed Forces conducted a joint operation focused on deterring and disrupting maritime threats in the selected area. The operation is the result of close cooperation and multiple activities that both forces carry out jointly in pursuit of freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean.
On 28 May, during the port visit of ATALANTA assets to Mumbai, Operation Force Commander met with the Chief Staff Officer of the Indian Navy Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Vidyadhar Harke. The meeting was held in the Western Naval Command headquarters and they discussed on the cooperation between the two forces and the incoming joint exercises in port and at sea.
On 29 May, the EU Ambassador to India HE Hervé Delphin, paid a visit to the EUNAVFOR ATALANTA assets moored in Mumbai. The Ambassador was welcomed by the ATALANTA Force Commander, and was briefed on Operation main activities, challenges, and the developments in the upcoming joint exercises that were being carried out in the port and at sea over the following days. He also had the opportunity to visit the warships and to learn about their capabilities.
During the port visit in Mumbai of the ATALANTA assets, activities such as Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE) and a joint Table Top exercise (TTX) were conducted, aimed to refining key issues necessary for tactical-level cooperation at sea. Both sides benefitted from exchanges on experiences gained during counter-piracy and counter-narcotics operations.
The harbour engagements laid the foundation for the joint exercise at sea with the Indian Navy, which was conducted on 1 June 2025
On 2 May, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA social media and website, and the Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean (MSCIO) website, published the second video on MSCIO as part of the promotional campaign dedicated to the new website.
The second video presented the produce to contact the Joint Operation Center watchkeepers to warn on a maritime security incident, and how they manage.
Please watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/KxEbLXbyBWs
On 7 May, ATALANTA legal advisors and the Shipping Industry advisor virtually met with students from the Institute of International and Strategic Relations (IRIS), one of the main French think tanks specializing in geopolitical and strategic issues. They briefed them on the legal basis of the operation and the close relationship with the shipping sector.
From 21 to 23 May, ATALANTA Chief of Staff participated in the IORIS Steering Committee Meeting hold in Cebu, Philippines. ATALANTA is relevant maritime security provider in the Indian Ocean and the COS briefed to the audience on the main achievements of the Operation tackling piracy and other threats at sea.
On 28 May, ATALANTA Chief of Staff attended the handover ceremony for the chairmanship of the European Union Military Committee in Brussels, where General Sean Clancy took over from General Brieger.
The Military Committee is the highest military authority in the EU. It is the forum for military consultation and cooperation between the EU Member States in the field of conflict prevention and crisis management. It directs all military activities within the EU framework and gives military advice and recommendations to European Union leaders.
In May, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA was supported in different levels by ships from Spain, Italy, and Greece.
On 10 May, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA celebrated the Europe Day with all the components of the Operation committed to maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.
Also, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA celebrated the following national day:
