Dear reader,
Highly motivated by the success ATALANTA has achieved during the past year, we will continue within our capabilities to contribute to European Union’s goals and ambitions in the West Indian Ocean region that extend beyond regular naval diplomacy.
Through ATALANTA, the European Union protects more than sea lines; it safeguards global stability. Our presence as a key diplomatic tool for the European Union in the region was also highlighted during these engagements.
Within this context, ATALANTA carried out activities in January. During her port visit to Mombasa the operation flagship, ESPS VICTORIA hosted a meeting of the European Union’s Heads of Mission to Kenya. Furthermore, the Force Commander met with civil and military authorities not only in Kenya, but also in Oman.
At the operational level, joint activities with the Somali Navy and Coast Guard were conducted in support of our CSDP sister mission, the European Union Training Mission in Somalia,. We performed joint activities with Task Force 151 of the Combined Maritime Forces, our key partner in countering piracy.
At the end of the month, General Seán Clancy, the Chairman of the EU Military Committee, visited our staff and facilities in Djibouti. His encouragement reinforces our commitment and unwavering dedication to the Operation.
Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano
EUNAVFOR ATALANTA Operation Commander
On 22 January, the EU Delegation in Mogadishu invited the EU Heads of Mission and selected partner organisations to a meeting on maritime security in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea Region.
ATALANTA Operation Commander, Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano, delivered an update on piracy movements in the region, links between terrorist groups and piracy, and other relevant insights related to maritime security in the Area of Operations.
EUNAVFOR ATALANTA forces conducted numerous “friendly approaches” to local fishing vessels. these encounters offer excellent opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of local patterns of life, to understand local challenges and to provide guidance on maritime security
On 10 January, Operation ATALANTA flagship ESPS VICTORIA conducted a joint activity at sea with ROKS CHOI YOUNG of Combined Task Force 151, part of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
These exercises are aimed at strengthening cooperation and reinforcing the international commitment against piracy.
On 12 January, during the port visit to Salalah (Oman), Operation ATALANTA Force Commander, Commodore João Silva, paid a visit to the Commander of the Southern Naval Area of the Royal Oman Navy, Commander Hamid Alshidi.
A great opportunity to enhance ties to continue providing maritime security.
On 21 January, a local maritime capacity building exercise was conducted with the Somali Navy and Coast Guard (SNCG) on board the EUNAVFOR flagship ESPS VICTORIA. The exercise was planned in coordination with European Union Training Mission Somalia (EUTM Somalia), and focused on boarding and search procedures, medical treatment, and maritime communications.
The ATALANTA forces are a fundamental tool in supporting both, the European Union Capacity Building Mission in Somalia (EUCAP Somalia) and EUTM Somalia, in training and improving the capabilities of Somali forces in the framework of maritime security.
On 26 January, the European Union Heads of Mission to Kenya visited the EUNAVFOR ATALANTA flagship ESPS VICTORIA during the port visit in Mombasa.
ATALANTA Force Commander, Commodore João Silva, briefed the distinguished audience on the latest developments of the Operation, the challenges it is facing, and upcoming activities in the region.
The event provided an excellent opportunity to highlight the EU’s activities in the Western Indian Ocean.
The Operation is filling the gap in the European Union’s presence, activity, and commitment to maritime security in the region, going well beyond regular naval diplomacy.
During the port visit of the ATALANTA flagship in Mombasa, ATALANTA Force Commander held relevant meetings with national civilian and military authorities.
On 26 January, the Force Commander met with the Commander of the Kenyan Naval Base Mtongwe, Brigadier William Kiprotich, and with the General Director Kenya Maritime Authority, Mr. Justus Omae Nyarandi, on the day after. Both meetings demonstrated the robust and close relationship with the Kenyan armed forces and port authorities, exemplified in frequent port visits and joint exercises at sea, including the maritime enhancement exercise USALAMA BAHARINI.
From 26 to 29 January, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA forces participated in the local maritime capacity enhancement exercise SOUTHERN READINESS, conducted in Mombasa, Kenya. The exercise is led by Combined Task Force 154, from Combined Maritime Forces, and Operation ATALANTA is regularly invited to participate. In this iteration, ATALANTA forces contributed with their expertise in maritime security operations, including visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS), and maritime interdiction operations (MIO) conducted on board the flagship of the Operation, ESPS VICTORIA.
ATALANTA Force Commander met with Commander of CMF – CTF 154 CAPTAIN (ITA -N) Andrea Bielli, on 28 January, and discussed mutual support to conduct local maritime capacity enhancement exercises with regional forces.
In January, EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA social media and website promoted the Maritime Security Center Indian Ocean (MSCIO) alert on an incident happening off the North coast of Somalia.
The valuable and comprehensive information shared by the MSCIO is crucial for a secure navigation in the Western Indian Ocean.
In addition, EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA promoted the MSCIO Maritime Emergency Contact map.
This map brings together in a single document all maritime security centres in the Western Indian Ocean and beyond, their areas of responsibility and how to contact them. It is therefore extremely useful for sailors and professionals in the maritime sector. It can be downloaded free of charge from the MSCIO ATALANTA website here.
On 21 January, the Creative Competition EUNAVFOR ATALANTA 2025 Awards Ceremony took place at the University of Alicante (Spain).
Rear Admiral Paolo Fantoni, Deputy Commander Operation ATALANTA, participated in the ceremony that was chaired by the Rector of the University, Ms. Amparo Navarro. Captain Rafael Torrecillas de Prado, Naval Commander of the Spanish Navy in Alicante and ATALANTA’s former Chief of Staff, attended as one of the initiators of this partnership.
For the second consecutive year, students from the Degree in Advertising and Public Relations have developed creative proposals with the objective of raising awareness among young people about the existence and relevance of Operation ATALANTA, fostering understanding of its essential role in global maritime security.
Operation ATALANTA and the University of Alicante signed a Memorandum of Understanding in October 2023 with the aim of fostering collaboration between both entities, in line with this spirit of growth and continuous learning which promotes a mutually beneficial relationship. In this context, the Creative Competition EUNAVFOR ATALANTA was launched in September 2024.
On 27 January, the Chairman of the European Union Military Committee (CEUMC), General Seán Clancy visited the Support Element of ATALANTA and ATALANTA ORION Detachment facilities, both located in Djibouti.
Accompanied by the EU Ambassador to Djibouti, H.E. Denisa-Elena Ionete, the General greeted the ATALANTA personnel deployed to these units and learned first-hand about their activities and missions. This visit is part of the General’s tour to European Union forces deployed in the Horn of Africa.
On 27 January, EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA Tactical Air Detachment Orion representative participated in the multinational CIMIC Meeting at the Italian Support Military Base facilities, a key gathering of international forces in Djibouti.
The main objective was to exchange experiences and best practices in civil-military cooperation among the partners present, with a focus on assisting the most vulnerable populations.
The participation of the Orion Detachment reaffirms the ATALANTA commitment to international cooperation, and the support to the integration of civil and military efforts and humanitarian assistance in the region.
On 26 January, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA congratulated to India on its 77th Republic Day. Operation ATALANTA, flying our flag from the 4WD, took part in the Republic Day Parade in India as part of the EU Contingent.
ATALANTA and the Indian Navy work together in maritime security in the Indian Ocean.