EU Naval Force - Somalia
Operation ATALANTA

On 12 November, the Italian EU NAVFOR warship ITS LIBECCIO, arrived in the port of Dar Es Salaam, on its first visit to this port whilst on the EU anti piracy mission, OP ATALANTA.

The Italian Ambassador to Tanzania, Dr. Francesco Catania, welcomed the warship on arrival in Dar Es Salaam and, following a briefing from the Italian Frigate Commanding Officer, Commander Antonio Galiuto, the Ambassador gave a speech to the crew, thanking them, on behalf of the Italy and Tanzania authorities, for their important work during OP ATALANTA, under the European Union flag.

After this short visit, ITS LIBECCIO will return to patrol in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, to continue the work of assisting in the freedom of passage and safety of movement, of the commercial maritime shipping community, in its contribution to the fight against piracy.

ATALANTA main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the ‘World Food Program’ (WFP), to protect vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and to deter and disrupt piracy.