Dear reader,
Our area of operation has witnessed an increase in suspicious piracy-related activity this month. However, sustained attention over the past few months has enabled Atalanta to react quickly and efficiently to provide deterrence in the most effective way. Thanks to this joint action by the Atalanta forces, we have been able to provide timely advice to assure security to the maritime industry. In parallel with our operational duties, this month we have led the execution of the ALDABRA III capacity enhancement exercise, developed in coordination with Seychelles, together with the Djibouti Code of Conduct. These type of exercises are essential to enhance the robust partnership with the Seychelles forces, as well as other participating countries, as they involve numerous experts, warships and aircrafts to achieve an environment as complete and realistic as possible. Moreover, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA forces supported the EU Delegation to Kenya in conducting a joint exercise in Mombasa echoing the Operation’s vital role in the EU Defense policy and naval diplomacy for the Indo Pacific.
On October 15 in Djibouti, we welcomed Commodore Armando Valente Tinoco of the Portuguese navy, who took over command of the force. I offer him my sincerest congratulations on having so quickly taken over the reins of operations at a time of rising crime at sea. I would also like to express my deepest appreciation to Rear Admiral Alvargonzález and his team for the high professional standards they have demonstrated over the last few months. Throughout the month, I was able to participate in valuable international encounters. Some of these engagements were international meetings, such as the meeting of Friends of the Djibouti Code of Conduct in the International Maritime Organization Headquarters in London (UK); the XIV Trans Regional Seapower Symposium in Venice (Italy); the EU-Seychelles Partnership Dialogue, in Port Victoria (Seychelles); and the Maritime Security Regimes Roundtable 2024 in Norfolk (US). Our participation in these meetings underlines the relevance that ATALANTA has in the international Arena, being a reference as a maritime security provider. Hence, we have the imperative to maintain the standards currently achieved and the ambition to improve in our efforts to accomplish the objectives set in the fight against piracy and other threats in the Indian Ocean.
Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano
EUNAVFOR ATALANTA Operation Commander
On 3 October, EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA Commander, Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano participated in the meeting of Friends of the Djibouti Code of Conduct (DCoC) in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Headquarters in London.
The meeting focused on supporting the implementation of the DCoC and its Jeddah Amendment, in which ATALANTA is a fundamental partner for maritime security training activities for the forces of the countries in the Area of Operations.
Also, Operation ATALANTA Commander had the opportunity to meet with EU Delegation Deputy Ambassador to UK, Ms. Isabell Poppelbaum. They discussed about the key role of ATALANTA as maritime security provider, contributing to the EU diplomatic approach in the North-Western Indian Ocean.
On 13 October, Operation ATALANTA Commander had the opportunity to hold a first meeting with the recently appointed Ambassador to Djibouti, H.E. Denisa-Elena Ionete. They exchanged views on the security situation in the region, and Djibouti's key role as a partner in maritime security and support to the Operation.
Operation ATALANTA Commander also underlined the close and fruitful cooperation and the full commitment of EUNAVFOR ATALANTA to the EU's endeavour in the area.
On 14 October, Operation ATALANTA Deputy Commander Rear Admiral Domenico Guglielmi visited the ORION Detachment and the Support Element ATALANTA (SEA) during his visit to Djibouti.
As part of the Operation, their role is essential to provide the high standard of maritime security and logistical support to all assets deployed under EUNAVFOR ATALANTA command.
On 15 and 16 October, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA participated in the 2nd IORIS Steering Committee Policy Board and Working Groups Meeting in Courtyard, Colombo (Sri Lanka). The event was co-hosted by the IORIS Steering Committee and Sri Lankan Navy.
The discussions covered various topics, including challenges in sharing operational information about international maritime incidents, future development and integration of the system, innovations, standard operating procedures for information sharing, as well as rescue coordination and training support, were also addressed.
From 16 to 17 October, Operation ATALANTA Commander visited Seychelles to participate in the EU-Seychelles Partnership Dialogue that brought together EU Member State Ambassadors, Seychelles authorities and other EU agencies to discuss issues of common interest.
In the EU-Seychelles Partnership Dialogue, different topics were covered, including maritime security. During his presentation to the attendees, Vice Admiral Villanueva spoke about the resurgence of piracy and the activities conducted by EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, including very relevant activities in coordination with other regional forces and maritime security centres like the “ALDABRA” exercise series.
From 30 September to 4 October, the “ALDABRA III" exercise was carried out in Seychelles. This relevant joint capacity enhancement exercise comprised a theoretical phase and a practical phase.
During the development of both phases, representatives from EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, the Seychelles Defense Forces, Djibouti Code of Conduct, the Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC) based in Victoria, the Critical Maritime Routes in the Indian Ocean (CRIMARIO) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) took part sharing their knowledge and experiences on Maritime Security in the North-Western Indian Ocean. Representatives from eight different countries – Seychelles, Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritious, Mozambique, Tanzania – also participated in the exercise.
From 8 to 12 October, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA took part in a joint activity at sea led by the Combined Maritime Force. The main task was to face maritime security threats in the region, especially piracy and arm robbery at sea.
The activity stressed the close and robust partnership between both forces. Joint efforts and permanent presence are paramount to deter and prevent any piracy attempt.
On 15 October, Portuguese Commodore Armando Pereira da Costa Valente Tinoco assumed command of the 48th rotation as Force Commander of the EUNAVFOR ATALANTA. He took command of Task Force 465 from Spanish Rear Admiral Manuel Alvargonzález Méndez who was in command since 20 June 2024.
The ceremony, which took place on board the Spanish ship ESPS NUMANCIA at the Port of Djibouti, was chaired by the ATALANTA Deputy Operation Commander Rear Admiral Domenico Guglielmi.
On 17 October, Spanish SH-60F, the organic helicopter of Operation ATALANTA flagship ESPS SANTA MARIA, carried out a Medical Evacuation Exercise training also known as "MEDEVAC".
This consists of training on casualty evacuation techniques to use in case of emergency at sea.
From 20 to 24 October, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA participated in a joint activity at sea led by the Combined Task Force 151, from the Combined Maritime Forces. As in the previous joint activity at sea, the main effort was to deter, prevent and repress any piracy activity and arm robbery in the region.
As part of the missions developed from 8 to 12 October, the ATALANTA forces embarked on board the flagship ESPS SANTA MARIA conducted several friendly approaches to learn first-hand about the security situation in the area. Mutual trust and understanding are fundamental to set a complete maritime situation awareness and be ready to face the piracy threat at sea.
From 18 to 24 October, Operation ATALANTA conducted maritime security activities dedicated to monitor illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities off the coast of Somalia. In order to accomplish the main task of these activities, several friendly approaches to local fishing vessels were developed.
The objectives of the friendly approaches are to learn about the security situation from the local fishermen; to enhance mutual trust; and to ensure maritime security in the area.
On 27 October, ESPS SANTA MARIA conducted a joint activity at sea with the KNS SHUJAA from the Kenya Navy.
The activity included combined exercises to train different type of manoeuvring and Maritime Interdiction Operations with boarding party.
During the activity, Operation ATALANTA Force Commander welcomed on board ESPS SANTA MARIA officers from the Kenya Navy in order to enhance mutual trust, facilitate coordination between both warships and exchange of impressions during the exercise.
This exercise followed on from activities in the port of Mombasa on 24 October and brought to a successful conclusion the many recent interactions with Kenya.
In October, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA has resumed the dissemination of the piracy threat bulletins due to the suspicious piracy-related activity detected in the Horn of Africa. Bulletins are issued on the MSCHOA website and include infographic data, a list of cases and the assessment of the EUNAVFOR analytic personnel.
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 2 October, Operation ATALANTA Commander participated in the VIII Youth Mediterranean Dialogue focused on maritime security and organized by YATA (Youth Atlantic Treaty Association) Spain COAJE (Consejo Atlántico Juvenil Español) in coordination with Armada.
During his briefing, Vice Admiral Villanueva outlined the evolution of ATALANTA to become a fundamental maritime security provider in the Western Indian Ocean. He also highlighted the way ATALANTA is embedded in the regional maritime structure and the current challenges faced by the Operation.
On 3 October, the XXVI Spanish General Staff Course of the Armed Forces paid a visit to Operation ATALANTA’s Headquarters, located in the Rota Naval Base, Spain.
Deputy Operation ATALANTA Commander welcomed the attendees and together with the ATALANTA Chief of Staff, they briefed them about the Operation, the activities and challenges faced in the Area of Operations.
The visit took place in the framework of the programme’s course to learn how to command an operation from the strategic level.
On 8 October, Operation ATALANTA Commander participated in the “XIV Trans Regional Sea power Symposium”. The Venice Symposium is a unique occasion to discuss about the underwater, it aggregates key skills from the global maritime cluster: 67 navies and 170 top representatives of international organizations, industry, academia, research centres and media have joined this Symposium. A great opportunity to discuss about maritime issues with key stakeholders.
On 21 October, Operation ATALANTA Commander delivered the inaugural lecture for the Master in International Relations and Migrations of the University of Cadiz. He briefed about Operation ATALANTA achievements and challenges, providing also real cases to the students where international relation studies needed to be applied.
On 29 October, Operation ATALANTA Commander participated in the Maritime Security Regimes Roundtable 2024 organized by the Combined Joint Operations from the Sea NATO Centre of Excellence, in Norfolk (Virginia, US).
His briefing focused on the Maritime Security Situation in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean introducing ATALANTA's activities and achievements, main challenges and way forward.
During the month of October, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA integrated ships from Spain, Italy and France in different support levels. The Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA), the Spanish Air Force's VIGMA-D4 is the ATALANTA “eyes in the sky”, has operated from Djibouti.
In October, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA celebrated the following national days:
