Newsroom

Following the pirating of an Indian registered cargo dhow off the coast of Somalia on Saturday 1 April 2017, EU NAVFOR once again reiterates the need for vigilance to all ships transiting the piracy high risk area.

EU Naval Force can confirm that an Indian registered cargo dhow was seized by suspected pirates on 01 April  and is now in the vicinity of Hobyo, Somalia.

During their recent port visit in Djibouti, EU Naval Force warship, ITS Espero, conducted  maritime training with a team from the Djiboutian Navy.

EU Naval Force’s flagship, ESPS Galicia, has two SH-3D Sea King helicopters on board. The helicopters have wide-ranging capabilities, including over the horizon surveillance, vertical replenishment (VERTREP), medical evacuations and crew transfers to other EU Naval Force warships.

A crew from Spain’s 11th Squadron, which is usually based in Cadiz, is currently deployed with Operation Atalanta, together with their Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Scan Eagle.

The medical team on board Operation Atalanta’s flagship, ESPS Galicia, regularly conduct medical exercises at sea to ensure that they remain fully prepared to deal with medical emergencies.  With state of the art facilities on board, the team can carry out a range of medical procedures, from basic f

The EU Naval Force has been operating off the coast of Somalia since 2008 to deter pirate attacks.

On Saturday 25th March the Italian Navy Maestrale class frigate, ITS Espero, joined the EU Naval Force off the coast of Somalia.

EU Naval Force staff are currently liaising with Somali and counter-piracy partners to verify reports that a dhow has been seized by a possible pirate action group off the north-eastern coast of Somalia. EU Naval Force will issue more details once more information is known.

During the past week the EU Naval Force Spanish flagship, ESPS Galicia, and French frigate, FS Courbet, have conducted combined counter-piracy patrols off the coast of Somalia.

Following the recent pirate attack on the Comoros-flagged fuel tanker, MT Aris 13, EU Naval Force warships and maritime patrol aircraft have been continuing their counter-piracy patrols off the coast of Somalia.

Sailors from the EU Naval Force French Navy frigate, FS Courbet, have provided support and reassurance to the crew of the freed fuel tanker, Aris 13, as she sailed along the coast of Somalia.