Dear reader,
Thanks to a number of meetings of strategic significance, April has been an intense month in terms of Operation ATALANTA’s role to contribute to the maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean. I had the opportunity to travel to India for the first time, and to Somalia for the second, taking important steps on the path of reaching two major milestones for the Operation.
As for my travel to India, I was able to complete my first official visit, and meet with my counterparts in the Indian Navy. The effort India is making to ensure maritime security in the Indian Ocean is extraordinary, and our cooperation has to be decisive to achieve this common goal. A joint exercise in the near future for mutual awareness and coordination of our assets will be essential to strengthen our ties and be prepared to be more effective in facing maritime threats. I would like to highlight the meeting with the Director General of Naval Operations (DGNO), Vice Admiral AN Pramod, the Commander-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, Vice Admiral Sanjay Sasjit Singh, the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral SR Sequira, and the Western Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs, H.E. Tanmaya Lal.
During my second journey as ATALANTA Operation Commander to the Federal Republic of Somalia, I participated in the EU-Somalia Political Dialogue, chaired by the President of the Federal Republic, H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and the EU Ambassador to Somalia, H.E. Karin Johansson. The event was an excellent opportunity to review the priorities of the EU-Somalia Joint Operational Roadmap launched in 2023. We discussed ATALANTA's relations with Somalia, which are essential to fulfil the core of our tasks, the fight against piracy, and also to address other maritime threats, such as arms trafficking and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. I am grateful for the chance to humbly explain to the President what ATALANTA is doing and could do to support Somalia and its people.
Meanwhile, Atalanta forces continued to operate directly at sea throughout the month. Indeed, I would like to highlight the exercises with the Kenyan navy and the meeting of the ATALANTA Force Commander with the Deputy Commander of the Kenyan Navy, which have allowed us to maintain our close ties and to build trust and mutual understanding between our forces deployed in the area.
Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano
EUNAVFOR ATALANTA Operation Commander
From 14 to 18 April, Operation ATALANTA Commander travelled to India for his first official visit. The visit focused on enhancing the cooperation between the Indian Navy and EUNAVFOR ATALANTA within the framework of the EU-India security cooperation.
The Indian Navy is a key security actor in the Indian Ocean Region. Among the core topics of the visit were the enhancement of operational cooperation and coordination at sea, and the prospect of organising a joint naval exercise between the Indian Navy and ATALANTA.
From 21 to 24 April, Operation Commander visited Mogadishu. He attended the EU-Somalia Political Dialogue, which reviews the priorities of the EU-Somalia Joint Operational Roadmap, which commenced in 2023. It is also an opportunity for EU Member State ambassadors to discuss mutual relations with the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Vice Admiral Villanueva participated in additional meetings between EU and Somalia, which focussed on piracy, the UN arms embargo against Al Shabaab, information sharing, and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
On 25 April, the Colombian Military Representative to NATO and European Union, Admiral Jose Joaquin Amezquita Garcia, visited the Operation Headquarters of EUNAVFOR ATALANTA in Rota.
Admiral Amezquita was welcomed by the ATALANTA Deputy Commander, Rear Admiral Vazquez Sanz. After acquainting with OHQ staff, he received a briefing on the current state of the Operation, its achievements in the past 16 years of ATALANTA, and challenges in the demanding Area of Operation.
Colombia is one of the contributing nations to Operation ATALANTA, and deployed one officer to the OHQ.
From 29 to 30 April, ATALANTA Operation Commander participated in a seminar on “The challenges of securing maritime areas for the European Union”, which was organised by the “Institut des Hautes Études de Défense Nationale” (IHEDN) under the aegis of the European Security and Defence College (ESDC). His contribution was focussed on the “Strategic impact of relevant EU missions and operations, with a focus on EU Naval Force.”
This seminar offered also the excellent opportunity to meet with senior officials from the French Ministry of the Armed Forces. France has contributed decisively to Operation Atalanta throughout the 16 years of its existence.
During April, Operation ATALANTA ships continued to perform multiple “Friendly Approaches” in the Area of Operations, especially off the coast of Somalia.
Through Friendly Approaches, ATALANTA teams engage directly with fishermen at sea providing guidance on security measures, understanding their challenges, and reinforcing trust in these vital waterways.
In early April, the Force Commander of Operation ATALANTA, Rear Admiral Davide Da Pozzo, met the Deputy Commander of the Kenyan Navy in Mombasa.
These meetings, which are held on a regular basis, are a valuable opportunity to strengthen cooperation, share experiences, and reinforce the commitment to maritime security in the Indian Ocean.
During the visit to Kenya, ATALANTA forces on board EUNAVFOR ATALANTA flagship ITS RIZZO, conducted a Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) training exercise with Kenyan forces personnel.
This is part of a broader enhancement building effort aimed at developing specific capabilities for partner countries.
After departing Kenya, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA flagship ITS LUIGI RIZZO and a patrol vessel of the Kenyan Navy conducted a joint activity at sea off the waters of the port of Mombasa, Kenya.
This activity was planned after the port visit to Mombasa between 27 and 31 March, and highlights the close mutual cooperation to enhance maritime security between ATALANTA and Kenyan forces.
On 24 April, the European Union Ambassador to the Federal Government of Somalia, H.E. Karin Johansson, and ATALANTA Operation Commander, welcomed Deputy Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia, H.E. Salah Ahmed Jama on board of the frigate ESPS Reina Sofia, off the coast of Somalia.
During the visit, H.E. Salah Ahmed Jama was briefed on the ship's capabilities and the work of Operation ATALANTA.
The visit was an excellent example of cooperation in maritime security between Somalia and the EU, and to observe the training provided to the Somali Police Force - Department of Coast Guard with the coordination of EUCAP Somalia. Additionally, CRIMARIO II via the IORIS communication platform supported the Safety at Sea coordination exercise.
In April, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA social media promoted the Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean (MSCIO) website, an initiative of the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) ATALANTA. MSCIO and its website contribute to enhancing maritime security in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean, and Persian Gulf.
Through the Voluntary Registration Scheme, the MSCIO provides 24/7 assistance to seafarers, issuing timely alerts, comprehensive threat assessments, and incident-specific bulletins.
MSCIO's daily risk assessment process identifies particularly vulnerable vessels and coordinates appropriate protective measures, build on its cooperation with international forces and stakeholders in the region.
Please visit the MSCIO website at the following link: www.mscio.eu
On 24 April, representatives from the Port Authority of Algeciras, Spain, visited the OHQ to learn first-hand the role of the EU strategic level headquarters. They were also briefed on the current challenges faced by the Operation assets deployed in the Western Indian Ocean, and the way ahead for ATALANTA.
During April, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA was supported in different levels by ships from Spain, Italy, France and Greece.
