Dear reader,
November is a special month for me. Indeed, I have been proudly commanding Operation ATALANTA for a year now. While I was thinking about what I wanted to share with you for this occasion, I was struck to realize that our actions in November were a reflection of what ATALANTA stands for.
On the one hand, we maintained our high level of operational activity this month. In the Area of Operations, numerous operations dedicated to the monitoring of illegal activities, especially those related to piracy, have taken place. These activities were also focused on the monitoring of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, one of the main concerns of Somali society due to its negative impact on their economy.
On the other hand, we have conducted local maritime capacity enhancement activities with the Djibouti Code of Conduct and the Djibouti Regional Training Center (DRTC). Dubbed “Exercise Doraleh”, this event was made possible thanks to a Memorandum of Understanding which we signed with the DRTC. It was not only strengthened the links between the region's maritime security actors, but also laid a crucial cornerstone for boosting the maritime forces of coastal countries.
The importance of our actions was also at the heart of various international meetings in which I had the opportunity to participate. On this occasion, I would like to highlight the EU Commander’s Conference held in Cracow, with the participation of the IRINI and ASPIDES Operation Commanders. As well as the 7th High Level meeting on the implement of the Djibouti Code of Conduct – Jeddah Amendment in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania). During this meeting, we were able to discuss our vision for maritime security, which is fundamental if we are to sustain our efforts. In both occasions, ATALANTA's role as a maritime security provider, within its means and capabilities was highlighted.
To sum up, ATALANTA has done a comprehensive job once again this month. Combining direct response to increase maritime security, long-term work and high-level representation of the key challenges we face. In addition, all this was done in coordination within our partners. This, is a shining example of the spirit of ATALANTA and I am proud to have been part of it for a year now!
Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano
EUNAVFOR ATALANTA Operation Commander
On 13 November, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA Operation Commander, Vice Admiral Villanueva Serrano, attended the EU Commander’s Conference held in Cracow, Poland. This meeting is held on a regular basis and allows for an exchange of views on the situation in the different missions and operations led by the EU. The Operation Commander had the opportunity to discuss with the Commander of the European Maritime Force EUROMARFOR, Vice admiral Aurelio De Carolis, along with the Operation Commanders from EUNAVFOR IRINI Rear Admiral Valentino Rinaldi, and EUNAVFOR ASPIDES Commodore Vasileios Gryparis, also EU maritime security operations.
On 28 November, ATALANTA Operation Commander attended the 7th High Level meeting on the implement of the Djibouti Code of Conduct – Jeddah Amendment in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania). The role of ATALANTA as a key Local Maritime Capacity Building actor was highlighted and the commitment of the Operation to tackle piracy threat in the region. The event was also an opportunity to ensure that the entire maritime safety community remains coordinated in its actions.
Following the high level meeting, Operation Commander had the opportunity to meet the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization, Mr. Arsenio Dominguez. The Operation Commander underlined the undoubted commitment of ATALANTA to freedom of navigation in its Area of Operations. In previous encounters, both agreed on the need to encourage all merchant vessels transiting the Western Indian Ocean to comply with Best Management Practices 5 and register with MSCHOA's voluntary registration scheme (VRS), as the best way to ensure the security of navigation and immediate assistance in case of need.
In November, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA forces conducted dedicated operations to monitor irregular, unreported and unregulated fishing activities off the coast of Somalia. One of the ways to learn about the security situation is carring out friendly approach visit to the local fishermen vessels.
The friendly approach is a consensual visit that can be conducted without the need for specific authorization from the flag state of the vessel, and does not involve any enforcement actions.
Such events represent important opportunities to engage with the maritime community and exchange valuable information, thereby enhancing maritime awareness and, as a result, improving security at sea.
At the same time, friendly approaches allow ATALANTA to be aware of any suspicious activity related to piracy, which is the core of the Operation’s tasks. ATALANTA assets patrol the Area of Operations providing maritime security 24/7.
From 10 to 14 November, "DORALEH" regional exercise took place in Djibouti. This was the first edition of a regional capacity enhancement activity co-organized by Operation ATALANTA, Djibouti Code of Conduct and Djibouti Regional Training Centre. The aim was to improve regional cooperation, maritime security and capacity enhancement among nations and institutions related to maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean.
EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA and the Djibouti Regional Training Centre (DRTC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding in March 2024. It aimed at structuring the exchange of information between the two parties on training activities and enhancing the capacity building activities between the two parties. This exercise has been a follow up of this signature, “the DORALEH Regional Exercise is an excellent example of how collaborative efforts, particularly with the Djiboutian Navy and Coast Guard, can significantly improve maritime security in the region” said Force Commander Commodore Armando Valente Tinoco during the Opening Ceremony.
On 7 November, Operation ATALANTA flagship ESPS SANTA MARIA conducted a joint activity at sea with the South Korean ship ROKS WANG GEON from Combined Maritime Forces.
These activities increase interoperability with partners in the Area enhancing mutual trust and knowledge. They are key for exchanging information and enhancing maritime security awareness.
Following the Joint activity at sea, Operation ATALANTA Force Commander, Commodore Armando Valente Tinoco, paid a visit to the ROKS WANG GEON. An opportunity to exchange views and enhance information sharing as well as to strengthen the cooperation to tackle piracy threat in the region.
Operation ATALANTA Force Commander, Commodore Armando Valente Tinoco, paid a visit to the Orion Detachment in Djibouti.
The Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft VIGMA D-4 is key to enhancing maritime security through surveillance and monitoring.
In November, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA continued to publish the threat update bulletins displayed on the MSCHOA website. Those bulletins include infographic data, a list of cases and the assessment of the EUNAVFOR ATALANTA analytic personnel.
During this month, The Orion Detachment has reached 15000 flight hours as part of Operation ATALANTA. The air asset contributes directly to providing maritime security and stability in the area as the “eyes in the sky” for the Operation.
On 19 November, Operation ATALANTA personnel participated in the Somali Piracy Webinar organized by BIMCO, proving expertise on the subject. One of the most relevant conclusions is the need to sharing information with the shipping industry, as ATALANTA performs on a permanent basis. This sharing is fundamental to achieve an optimal maritime security that allows free navigation in the area of operations.
On 25 November, Operation ATALANTA joined the EEAS campaign to mark the 25th anniversary of the UN General Assembly’s designation of the day as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, highlighting the importance to break the silence and end the violence.
During the month of November, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA integrated ships from Spain, Italy and France in different support levels. The Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA), the Spanish Air Force's VIGMA-D4 is the ATALANTA “eyes in the sky”, has operated from Djibouti.
