Operation ATALANTA escorted the merchant vessel LADY DIMINE, chartered by the World Food Programme, during her transit through the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb until her safe arrival at the Port of Aden in Yemen. The merchant vessel was carrying 12 tons of wheat bound for Yemen and has arrived with no incidents.
On 5 December, alerts of attacks in the area were received, resulting in an increased threat assessment for the Gulf of Aden region, specifically the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait area. On 6 December, in the late afternoon, Operation ATALANTA flagship ESPS VICTORIA initiated the escort of World Food Programme vessel LADY DIMINE while she was already sailing in the Red Sea and was about to cross the area where the attacks had occurred the previous day, thus ensuring her safe passage. The escort concluded on 7 December afternoon with the safe arrival of LADY DIMINE at her port of destination.
The protection of World Food Programme vessels is one of the main executive tasks of Operation ATALANTA’s mandate. The Operation remains committed to maritime security and the protection of vulnerable vessels transiting the Area of Operations.
Since its launch in 2008, Operation ATALANTA has ensured the protection of around 2,500 vessels, transporting more than 3,300,000 tonnes of food/aid delivered to Somali ports by World Food Programme shipping protected by EUNAVFOR ATALANTA.
