Dear reader,
We started 2025 with the implementation of the new mandate and gearing up for all the tasks to be accomplished during the year.
During January, we saw the liberation of the Chinese fishing vessel involved in a case of Armed Robbery at Sea off the northeast coast of Puntland, Somalia. This was a complex armed robbery case. It was inside TTW of Somalia, it was fishing and fishing licensees related, the Chinese fleet was fishing for days very close to shore, elder call for immediate action to locals. ATALANTA was in permanent contact with the appropriate authorities and provided valuable intel information.
The transformation of the Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa into the Maritime Security Centre for the Indian Ocean has marked a significant milestone in ATALANTA’s operational capabilities. Since 1 January, this upgraded centre, an integral part of ATALANTA, serves as a hub for maritime awareness and security operations, enhancing data analysis, intelligence sharing, and engagement with the shipping industry.
Another key commitment of ATALANTA is to contribute to the EU’s diplomatic efforts in the Area of Operations. To coordinate our actions in this framework, I have had the honour of meeting virtually with several EU ambassadors in the region, in particular, H.E. Karin Johansson, EU Ambassador to Somalia, H.E. Henriette Geiger, EU Ambassador to Kenya, and H.E. Roland Kobia, EU Ambassador to Madagascar. These valuable discussions allow us to establish the necessary synergies to maximize our support to the tasks of the European External Action Service representatives in these countries and to update them on the Operation’s main objectives and challenges for the year.
Finally, we conducted several capacity building and enhancement exercises with regional forces present in the Area of Operations. This allowed for further progress in fostering coordination, as well as integration and mutual understanding of procedures. ATALANTA’s participation in the maritime security regional architecture is more relevant than ever and we will continue to support regional countries in their endeavors to evolve and improve their capabilities in maritime security and to reinforce the EU’s efforts in the region.
Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano
EUNAVFOR ATALANTA Operation Commander
To start 2025, ATALANTA Operation Commander held several virtual meetings with EU Ambassadors from the Area of Operations to discuss about the ongoing issues in the region, as well as common points and the work ahead. Specifically, he held meetings with the EU Ambassador to Somalia, the EU Ambassador to the Republic of Madagascar and the Union of the Comoros, and the EU Ambassador to Kenya.
These meetings enhance coordination among EU actors in the region to better align our common efforts.
This January, Rear Admiral (LH) Domenico Guglielmi (Italy) bid farewell to his role as Deputy Commander after serving for the past six months.
The Operation Commander Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano congratulated Deputy Commander Guglielmi for his contribution, involvement and support, and expressed his best wishes for professional and personal success. Rear Admiral (LH) Guglielmi has served from July 2024 as Deputy Commander performing an exceptional contribution to achieving the objectives of the Operation.
On 8 January, Operation ATALANTA flagship, ESPS SANTA MARIA, and the Turkish Maritime Task Group conducted a joint exercise off the coast of Somalia. This initiative, designed to deepen interoperability and enhance operational coordination, included a Replenishment at Sea (RAS) operation. The Turkish navy is not an unknown as it regularly participates in Task Forces of the Combined Maritime Forces.
On 9 January, Operation ATALANTA flagship ESPS SANTA MARIA, conducted a port visit to Victoria, Seychelles. Seychelles is home to the Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC) and the Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG), both of which are vital partners in the fight against piracy and the promotion of safe and secure waters in the Indian Ocean.
EUNAVFOR ATALANTA will continue to enable protection through cooperation with countries such as Seychelles, which plays a key role in ensuring maritime security in the region.
On 13 January, Operation ATALANTA flagship ESPS SANTA MARIA conducted a port visit to Antsiranana, Madagascar, underscoring the importance of regional cooperation in maritime security.
During this visit, the Commander of the Antsiranana Naval Base welcomed the EUNAVFOR ATALANTA Force Commander and marked the shared commitment to strengthening the cooperation between EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, Madagascar, and the Malagasy Navy in promoting the freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean.
On 16 January, Operation ATALANTA Force Commander, Commodore Alexandre Serrano, visited the Kenya Coast Guard Service in Mombasa, Kenya. He was received by Lieutenant Commander Joel Mochanga, Commanding Officer of the Kenya Coast Guard Service flagship Doria.
During the port visit, Operation ATALANTA conducted capacity enhancement activities with the Kenya Coast Guard Service, focussed on boarding Operations. An opportunity to coordinate and improve cooperation at tactical level. These exercises highlight the shared commitment of EUNAVFOR ATALANTA and the Kenya Coast Guard Service to ensure secure seas in the region, which are essential for the stability of the Western Indian Ocean.
On 18 January, Operation ATALANTA conducted a Local Maritime Capacity Building activity outside the port of Mogadishu in support to EUCAP Somalia. It aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the Somali Police Force – Department of Coast Guard in maritime law enforcement and maritime interdiction operations. They also coordinated with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center in search and rescue (SAR) activities and emergency evacuation procedures. This activity underscores the vital relations between Operation ATALANTA and EUCAP Somalia, with both missions supporting the Somali authorities in building a sustainable and capable maritime security force that can contribute to long-term stability and security in the Western Indian Ocean. EUTM Somalia observed the activities.
As part of its mission, Operation ATALANTA regularly approaches merchant vessels transiting the Area of Operations to confirm and guarantee their safety. By contributing to maritime security, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA plays a role in supporting freedom of navigation in the Western Indian Ocean.
Vessels navigating these waters are encouraged to implement Best Management Practices (BMP) to enhance their security.
In January, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA social media promoted the new Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean (MSCIO) website. The MSCIO is an initiative of Operation ATALANTA, approved by PSC, established to enhance maritime security across the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean, and Persian Gulf.
The centre supports merchant vessels transiting the UKMTO Voluntary Reporting Area (Navigating Chart UKHO Q6099) by collecting, analysing, and disseminating maritime security information. It also serves as portal to EUNAVFOR ASPIDES.
On 13 January 2025, Operation ATALANTA was informed by the Chinese Embassy to Somalia that the Chinese fishing vessel involved in a case of armed robbery at sea off the northeast coast of Puntland, Somalia, was released.
According to the information provided, crew members were not injured and the vessel navigated to safe waters.
During the event, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA was in permanent contact with the appropriate Somali and Chinese authorities, the Chinese Task Force in the area, as well as with the Delegation of the European Union to Somalia.
On 14 January, Professors from public universities across Spain visited EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA Headquarters (OHQ). This visit was part of a tour in the Rota Naval Base, in Spain, in the framework of the US Embassy to Spain cooperation with the Spanish Academia.
Spanish professors hailing from 16 different universities, and academic experts in the fields of international relations, political science, law, history and other related fields, participated in a series of engagements across the installation, including a base tour.
On 21 January, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA Shipping Advisor, Lieutenant Antonio Martorell, took part in the 12th annual INTERCEM Shipping Forum in Lisbon (Portugal), providing insights of the close and robust relationship between ATALANTA and the shipping industry.
During his intervention, he had the opportunity to introduce the audience the new Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean website. MSCIO is an initiative of EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, being an improved interface between the European Union Naval Forces in the area and the international shipping community.
On 24 January, a team of three students from the Advertising degree program at the University of Alicante, winners of the 1st Edition of the contest to design a responsible creative strategy for the dissemination of Operation ATALANTA, travelled to Rota along with professors from the University of Alicante.
They had a meeting with the Commander of Operation ATALANTA, Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva, who presented them with the award and thanked them for their efforts in raising awareness about the Operation. They also visited the Spanish frigate REINA SOFIA, which will join the Operation in February. In addition, the students had the opportunity to learn in detail about the work of the Operation and further explore their creative proposal alongside the Strategic Communication team of EUNAVFOR ATALANTA.
On 27 January, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA Chief of Staff, Captain Rafael Torrecillas, participated in the 10th annual Maritime Reconnaissance and Surveillance Technology conference, taking place in London (UK). He had the opportunity to brief the distinguish audience about the Operation missions and current mandate, as well as the anti-piracy activities carried out last year and valuable lessons learned.
The participation of ATALANTA experts in such prominent forums illustrates the relevance and success of the operation as a maritime security provider in the Western Indian Ocean.
On 30 January, Operation ATALANTA Headquarters received the visit of industry leaders from ENDESA and KNUTSEN for an insightful discussion.
With innovation, sustainability, and security at the forefront, this engagement underscores the interconnectedness of commercial maritime operations and naval security efforts in ensuring freedom of navigation for global trade.
Also, as part of its public relations, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA responded to requests for information by the academia. In February, ATALANTA political advisor held interviews with Dr. Simon Sweeney, Professor at the School for Business and Society of the University of York, and an international research team from the Institute of Political Science and Sociology of the University of Würzburg in Germany, and the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses in New Delhi in India.
The subject of their research is the role of the EU and its institutions, its strategies, and implementing activities of the EU Naval Forces related to maritime security, particularly in the Western Indian Ocean.
During the month of January, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA integrated ships from Spain, Italy and France in different support levels.