May 2018

Cooperation and coordination is a fundamental approach in the Western Indian Ocean as we work towards maritime security.

EU NAVFOR is encouraging key partners in the region to coordinate counter-piracy activities and to share information about regional maritime security.

An important part of EU NAVFOR’s counter-piracy mission around the Horn of Africa and the Western Indian Ocean is to support the development of maritime capabilities of the Somali and regional states.

Understanding piracy and armed robbery of vessels is essential in maintaining maritime security. In addition, quantifying the economic and human costs of piracy is important in comprehending the true impact of piracy and robbery at sea.

It is important for nations to take time to honour their service personnel and recently it was no different for the detachment of the EU NAVFOR Spanish Air Force Orion Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA).

EU NAVFOR has been bringing EU and regional partners together to focus on counter-piracy and maritime security as efforts continue to build on a more secure maritime environment.

The Commanding Officer of ESPS Meteoro extended a warm welcome to EUNAVFOR's Force Commander, Rear Admiral Simone Malvagna, whilst on counter-piracy patrols off the coast of Somalia.

On the morning of the 15th May 2018, EU NAVFOR's Spanish warship Meteoro visited the Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC) to support the Seychelles Military counter-piracy effort.

From the 11th to 13th May 2018, Italian sailors and marines from the EU NAVFOR flagship, ITS Margottini worked with members of the Galmudug Coast Guard.

EU NAVFOR Operational Commander Major General Charlie Stickland met with Mr. Kitack Lim, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Friday 11th May 2018 at the IMO Headquarters in London.

The Force Commander of EU NAVFOR’s Op Atalanta, Rear Admiral Simone Malvagna, joined EU delegates and the Somali Prime Minister H.E. Hassan Ali Khaire in Mogadishu to celebrate Europe Day.

Italian Sailors and Marines currently deployed on board EU NAVFOR’s flagship ITS Margottini have helped train members of the Somali Police Force Maritime Unit off the coast of Mogadishu.

On May 7th crew members from ITS Margottini continued the regional cooperation EU NAVFOR has established with the AMISOM Marine unit off the coast of Mogadishu.

At a recent port visit to the Seychelles, ITS Margottini’s crew and embarked Force Headquarters Staff have built on the strong relationship between EU NAVFOR and the Seychelles authorities.

During a recent port visit to Dar es Salaam, EU NAVFOR’s Spanish warship ESPS Meteoro invited the Tanzanian Navy on board to receive training in maritime skills.