Press Releases

EU NAVFOR can now confirm that the Singaporean flagged M/V PRAMONI that was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden on the morning of 1 January 2010 is released.

EU NAVFOR can confirm that on the morning of 26 February a ransom drop was successfully made for the release of the Singaporean flagged M/V PRAMONI that was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden on the morning of 1 January 2010.

On 19th February the EU NAVFOR German warship FGS Emden was tasked to investigate a dhow and a skiff acting strangely in the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC).

On the 28th of January, the World Food Programme (WFP) Motor Vessel M/V MASAR TRADE started her transit north from Mogadishu to Berbera, a port in northern Somalia, in order to deliver goods and humanitarian aid.

On 17th of February, FS NIVÔSE left her home port of La Reunion to join the European Naval Force Somalia - Operation ATALANTA (EU NAVFOR).

The UK Flagged M/V ASIAN GLORY, hijacked on 1 January in the Somali Basin, is understood to have put to sea from its anchorage in Heredeere late yesterday and conducted logistical pirate transfers further south, off the Somali coast.

On the afternoon 11th February, EU NAVFOR Warship ITS ETNA successfully completed her first escort in ATALANTA Operation.

M/V WIN FAR 161 that has been anchored off the Somali coast in the vicinity of Harardheere for almost 10 months has finally been released. The pirates vacated the vessel on the evening of 11 Feb and the master has taken command once more.

On the 9 of February 2010, the Panama flagged bulk carrier M/V AL KHALIQ, with a crew of 26 (24 Indians and 2 Burmese), was released after payment of a ransom.

EU NAVFOR MPA Detachment ORION attended the farewell ceremony of the Navy Captain Satoshi ASAOKA, Commanding Officer of the Japanese Air Force counter piracy team, in Djibout on 28th of January in Camp Lemonier.

On the 4th of February EU NAVFOR Warship FS SURCOUF arrived from Mombasa in front of Mogadishu with Two World Food Program vessels M/V ABDUL RAHMAN and M/V SEA DIAMOND.

On 29th of January, after three weeks of patrolling in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin, EU NAVFOR Flagship ITS ETNA called in at Port VICTORIA, Republic of Seychelles for a four day visit.