EU NAVFOR and CMF discuss the future of counter-piracy operations

Oct 31, 2018 - 17:00
EU NAVFOR Italian warship Federico Martinengo has visited Mina Salman Port in Bahrain. Whilst there, the command team met with the Deputy Commander of the Combined Maritime Forces, Commodore Steve Dainton CBE, to discuss the ongoing coordination of counter-piracy operations and joint activities at sea.

These inter-organisational discussions help shape the operational framework for future evolutions and identify any lessons from previous experience. CMF is a 33-nation coalition, which, like EU NAVFOR, is responsible for maintaining freedom of navigation.  Its responsibilities include counter-piracy patrols and the prevention of smuggling within the waters of the Middle East. The nations in CMF work together to create a stabilising effect throughout the region.

EU NAVFOR and CMF are closely coordinating activities at sea with staff level discussions between the two Headquarters taking place on a weekly basis.  In addition, EU NAVFOR and CMF are co-chairing on a rotational basis the SHared Awareness and DEconfliction conference, SHADE, which occurs biannually and coordinates activities between the countries and coalitions involved in military counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and the western Indian Ocean

During the visit, ITS Federico Martinengo’s Command team attended various briefings and called on Captain Ali Al Rashidi of the Kuwait Naval Force, the Commander of CMF’s counter-piracy Task Force 151. Discussions included identifying opportunities for cooperation and mutual support during bespoke operations to maintain the free flow of commerce and keeping seafarers safe.

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