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Friendly Approaches have helped to build mutual trust and understanding between counter-piracy naval forces and the local Somali community over the last 10 years.

For the first time since counter-piracy deployments began in 2008, the Indian Navy has performed the escort of vital humanitarian aid for the UN’s World Food Programme, following an escort request by EU NAVFOR.

Partnerships and cooperation are vital for the success of maritime security operations. Working alongside our Japanese partners increases capability and reach as we continue to deter, disrupt and repress piracy.

10 years of Operation Atalanta’s counter-piracy efforts have seen a continual presence of Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) deployed to Djibouti, Mombasa (Kenya) and Victoria (Seychelles). The MPRAs have been provided by France, Germany, Luxembourg and Spain.

EU NAVFOR warships have patrolled the waters off the coast of Somalia for over ten years now. The worst of the Somali piracy crisis in 2011 has been successfully repressed, but the need for ongoing patrols in the western Indian Ocean remains.

For over 10 years, piracy has been successfully combated by an international ‘coalition of the willing’, achieving great success in the Indian Ocean. Ships are now able to transit the region much more safely, but the threat of piracy still exists.

"After nearly three decades of political and economic instability, Somalia continues to be on a positive trajectory with significant progress made since the re-establishment of the Federal Government in 2012.

The Operation Commander of EU NAVFOR, Major General Charlie Stickland OBE, visited Mogadishu on 4-5 December 2018, to continue vital discussions on maritime security with the Somali Deputy Prime Minister, His Excellency Mahdi Mohammed Gulaid.

At the start of December, EU NAVFOR’s Deputy Operation Commander Rear Admiral Giuseppe Rapese (Italian Navy), met with the deployed personnel in Djibouti underlining the commitment the operational command has to its people.

On Sunday 2nd December 2018 in Djibouti, EU NAVFOR’s Force Commander, Rear Admiral Alfonso Pérez de Nanclares handed back command of Operation Atalanta Forces to the Operational Headquarters.

Oman’s commitment to maritime security has been clearly demonstrated alongside that of EU NAVFOR during a recent engagement at sea.