Dear reader,
In June, we remained fully focused on the three ongoing piracy cases. Our forces deployed in the Area of Operation continued their efforts to gather as much relevant information as possible, and to maintain close cooperation with the Somali polices forces—particularly in Puntland—to support the swift and successful solution of these incidents.
At the same time, we stepped up our efforts to keep the maritime community informed about security developments across the region. In this regards, the 17th Industry Strategic Meeting once again proved to be a key event. Together with the EU operation ASPIDES and our partners from the Combined Maritime Forces, ATALANTA provided an overview of the current security situation and the challenges we face. We also listened carefully to the shipping industry’s concerns and operational needs, and discussed the most effective joint approaches to address them. Our commitment to close and meaningful cooperation with the shipping industry remains as strong as ever.
Finally, I would like to highlight the recent rotation of our forces in the area. We bid farewell to the frigates BIANCHI and CANARIAS, and warmly welcomed the frigate NUMANCIA. I would also like to congratulate Rear Admiral Daniele Paolo Martinuzzi on his exemplary leadership during the 52nd Force Headquarters rotation. His dedication, together with the outstanding work of his team, is greatly appreciated by all of us.
At the same time, I wish the new Force Commander, Rear Admiral Francisco Javier Vazquez Sanz, every success in this demanding role. I am confident that his extensive experience—including his service as ATALANTA Deputy Commander during the first half of 2025 and as Force Commander from June to October 2025—will make a significant contribution to achieving our objectives in the months ahead.
Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano
EUNAVFOR ATALANTA Operation Commander
On 2 and 3 June, Operation ATALANTA organised the 17th Industry Strategic Meeting in Madrid. Co-chaired by the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, the event brought together key maritime security partners and representatives of the shipping industry, including major global associations and European Community Shipowners Association (ECSA), to discuss the security threats in the Western Indian Ocean, the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.
In addition to providing participants with the latest updates on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz from the main actors operating in the region, the meeting aimed to strengthen the collective strategic framework through closer coordination. Panels and presentations on the current maritime security environment and the challenges facing the region.
Operation ATALANTA Commander, Vice Admiral Villanueva, highlighted the importance of these meetings in strengthening cooperation among all the stakeholders: “We know where we came from, where we are today, and where we are heading. I am very proud of we have achieved together to help ensure safe transit at sea. The Industry Strategic Meeting and the SHADE conferences will continue to grow in importance, and we are ready to step forward in our commitment to the shipping industry sector“.
On 10 June, the Deputy Commander of EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA, Rear Admiral Paolo Fantoni, paid a visit to the European Union Ambassador to Djibouti, H.E. Dr. Denisa-Elena Ionete, during his visit to the country to chair the ATALANTA Force Commander Handover ceremony. He also visited the Italian Military Support Base in Djibouti, which maintain close cooperation with ATALANTA personnel serving in the ORION Detachment and the ATALANTA Support Element in Djibouti.
From 9 to 11 June, Operation ATALANTA Commander attended the 4th IORIS Steering Committee High Level Meeting in Mombasa, Kenya. The three-day event convened government officials & experts from 80 organisations from East Africa across the Indian Ocean, the Pacific and both coasts of Latin America.
CRIMARIO, in cooperation with the Kenya Coast Guard Service, organised the event focused on strengthening maritime cooperation and advancing the operational use of IORIS in response to evolving global safety and security challenges.
On 12 June, the second partner group meeting on maritime security was held at the premises of the EU Delegation to Somalia in Nairobi, co-hosted by the EU and DK. There was a strong participation from EU Member States, as well as other EU representatives from EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, EUCAP, EUTM, EUSR Horn of Africa office. Partners from India, Japan, Norway, South Korea, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, United Kingdom and UNODC also attended.
The purpose of the meeting was threefold: (i) to share updates from ATALANTA on recent developments in piracy and from ASPIDES on the impact of the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz; (ii) to better understand current and planned activities by international partners; and (iii) to discuss possible next steps to strengthen coordination.
Deputy Commander, Rear Admiral Paolo Fantoni, provided an update on piracy trends in the area of operations
On 17 June, Operation ATALANTA Headquarters in Rota Naval Base, Spain, received the visit of the Chair of the European Union Military Committee (CEUMC) General Seán Clancy. He was accompanied by Spanish Chief of Defence, Admiral Teodoro López Calderón and Spanish Military Representative to the European Union and NATO, Admiral José María Núñez Torrente.
The discussion focused on the operation’s role as a maritime security provider. Operation Commander, Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva, provided an overview of the current piracy situation, the operation’s latest achievements, including its newly assigned task of monitoring the shadow fleet to support efforts to counter sanctions evasion, as well as the challenges ahead and its future priorities. He also highlighted the importance of the operation’s work in the area, stating that it is “filling a strategic gap for the European Union and supporting seafarers and regional forces in their security”.
General Clancy highlighted the critical role of multinational cooperation in addressing these challenges, stating: "Operation ATALANTA is a testament to the EU’s ability to project stability and security far beyond its borders. The professionalism of Vice Admiral Villanueva and his team, along with Spain’s unwavering leadership, ensures that this mission remains a cornerstone of global maritime security.” Rota’s role as a strategic hub for EU-NATO-US cooperation was also emphasised.
On 23 June, a delegation from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces (JMSDF), led by Rear Admiral Tori Sasaki, paid a visit to the OHQ ATALANTA. The Operation Commander warmly welcomed the delegation, and the Deputy Commander briefed them on the current state of the Operation, its mandate and tasks, and the multiple challenges faced within the complex Area of Operations. Afterwards, the delegation toured the Headquarters facilities and met with the ATALANTA OHQ staff.
ATALANTA and the JMSDF maintain a long-standing, trusted, and highly productive partnership, supporting common goals as maritime security providers in the Western Indian Ocean, including disrupting and countering acts of piracy in the region.
On 24 June, Operation ATALANTA Deputy Commander, Rear Admiral Paolo Fantoni, participated virtually in the 3rd Djibouti Maritime Security Symposium. The meeting brought together government officials, experts, and regional and international partners under the theme ‘From threats and challenges to regional responses’.
Discussions focused on the main challenges affecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden: safety of navigation, protection of critical maritime infrastructure, combating piracy, development of the blue economy, strengthening national capacities and regional cooperation.
The discussions also highlighted the strategic role of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the importance of a coordinated response among national, regional and international actors to preserve peace, stability and freedom of navigation.
On 25 June, Operation ATALANTA Deputy Commander paid a visit to the Hellenic Navy General Staff and the Joint General Staff of the Hellenic Armed Forces, both located in Athens, Greece. He met Vice Admiral Lagara, Hellenic Navy General Staff Deputy Commander, and the Head of Operations of the Hellenic Joint General Staff, Rear Admiral Tsiafoutis, to discuss on how to maintain the existing synergies between ATALANTA and Hellenic Navy, both for Units deployed in the Area of Operation and personnel support to the ATALANTA Operation Headquarters in Rota.
Greece, historical partner of ATALANTA from the very beginning, is one of the 16 EU Member States contributing to the Operation.
On 30 June, ATALANTA Operation Headquarters staff conducted a Medal Award ceremony to distinguish the exceptional contribution to ATALANTA of relevant personnel from other EU and international institutions and from the Operation staff. Among others, the former EU Ambassador to Somalia, Ms. Karin Johansson, was awarded with the CSDP Medal by the Operation ATALANTA Commander, on behalf of the High Representative – Vice President of the European Commission, H.E. Kaja Kallas.
On 8 June, ATALANTA Force Commander Italian Rear Admiral Daniele Paolo Martinuzzi visited the new EUNAVFOR ATALANTA asset ESPS NUMANCIA, while sailing in the Gulf of Aden. The Spanish warship took over the duties of ESPS CANARIAS, which is sailing back to her port base in Spain after a very intense and successful rotation.
On 10 June 2026, Italian Rear Admiral Daniele Paolo Martinuzzi ended his command as Force Commander of the 52nd rotation of EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA. He assumed command of Task Force 465 on 24 February 2026 and, together with his staff, responded to several piracy-related incidents, including the case of the ALWASEEMI, which was solved in March, as well as the three latest piracy cases involving the merchant vessels EUREKA, SWARD, and HONOUR 25. The ceremony was chaired by the EUNAVFOR ATALANTA Deputy Operation Commander, Rear Admiral Paolo Fantoni.
Rear Admiral Martinuzzi handed over command to Rear Admiral Francisco Javier Vázquez Sanz, who will lead the ATALANTA force for a second time, having previously served as Force Commander from June to October 2025. Rear Admiral Vázquez Sanz and his command staff will be embarked on the incoming ATALANTA flagship, ESPS NUMANCIA.
On 18 June, on the occasion of the Our Ocean Conference held in Mombasa, and in coordination with the EU Delegation to Kenya, a delegation of the EU Heads of Mission accredited to Kenya, representatives of the European Commission (DG MARE) and the European Fisheries Control Agency visited the EUNAVFOR ATALANTA flagship ESPS NUMANCIA during its port call.
ATALANTA’s Force Commander, Rear Admiral Vázquez Sanz, welcomed the high-level delegation on board and briefed them on the latest activities conducted in the Area of Operations, current challenges, and the productive cooperation between ATALANTA and Kenya. The USALAMA BAHARINI series of joint exercises is an example of this successful relationship.
EUNAVFOR ATALANTA is a key instrument of the European Union’s external action and contributes to maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean.
On 30 June, to mark the 50th anniversary of the Independence of Seychelles, Operation ATALANTA and the EU Delegation to the Republic of Mauritius and to the Republic of Seychelles have hosted an event with civilian and military, Seychelles and EU authorities on board the flagship ESPS NUMANCIA.
The reception was attended by H.E Barry Faure, Seychelles Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora; the Chief of Defence Forces of the Seychelles Defence Forces, Major General Michael Rosette; H.E Oskar Benedikt, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Mauritius and to the Republic of Seychelles and ATALANTA Force Commander, Rear Admiral Vázquez Sanz among others.
ATALANTA, as part of the EU's commitment in the region, remains a dedicated partner to Seychelles, building on a relationship of trust established over the years, which strengthens maritime security.
On 13 June, the 2026 Training Course for Spanish Army Officers paid a visit to the ATALANTA Operation Headquarters as part of its training programme. The officers were able to gain first-hand insight into the nature of the operation, its missions and the complexity of operational planning, particularly in relation to boarding operations. Afterwards they toured the facilities and had the opportunity to meet the staff at the OHQ.
Recognised as one of the European Union’s most successful operations, ATALANTA regularly hosts visits seeking insight into its activities and achievements.
On 18 June, ATALANTA Operation Commander, Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva, delivered a lecture at the Vigo Free Trade Zone in Spain. During his presentation, he provided an update on the operation’s latest developments and highlighted that ATALANTA not only disrupts piracy activities but also protects vessels chartered by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), combats arms and drug trafficking, and monitors illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
In addition, ATALANTA leverages synergies with other EU missions and operations, maintains a crucial European strategic presence in the region, and has recently been tasked with monitoring the shadow fleet transiting through its Area of Operations.
From 22 to 24 June, Operation ATALANTA Headquarters staff conducted the CYBERPHALANX exercise, led by European Defence Agency along with IABG.
Acknowledging an increasingly complex, contested, and rapidly evolving security environment, the EU Global Strategy and the Strategic Compass call for a stronger, faster and more effective Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). They also underline the need to enhance the effectiveness of CSDP missions and operations in responding to hybrid threat.
Cyber Phalanx is a proven, modular, and flexible exercise platform, as well as a toolbox, to support understanding cyber and hybrid implications for Operations Planning and Conduct and complementing other hybrid and cyber education and training occasions at hand.
In June, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA was supported in different levels by ships from Spain, Italy, France and Greece.
On 25 June, Operation ATALANTA joint the celebration of the international seafarers’ day, recognizing their important role, contributions and sacrifices.
As a maritime security provider, Operation ATALANTA is committed to the security of seafarers.
In June, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA celebrated the following national days:
Also, ATALANTA joined to the celebration of the following partners’ day:
