This February has been a very active month, both on strategic and operational level. We have held our bi-annual Strategic Meeting with the Shipping Industry in London, which was once more very much appreciated, and paid another visit to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). On both occasions, a central topic were the measures that civilian shipping industry can take to minimise the risk of an attack: the voluntary registration at the Maritime Security Centre - Horn of Africa (MSCHOA), which is an integral part of Atalanta OHQ’s operations branch, and the implementation of the “Best Management Practices”. We’ve noticed a slight downward trend in applying both means of prevention by merchant ships, and deemed it necessary to remind that piracy is still a dormant issue and that an attack could happen should an opportunity arises.
- XIIIth Industry Strategic Meeting in London
On 2 February 2023, the Operation Commander (OpCdr) chaired the XIIIth Industry Strategy Meeting, hosted by H.E. Ambassador Pedro A. Serrano de Haro, Head of the EU Delegation to the UK. Atalanta’s delegation provided to the representatives of the most prominent Shipping Industry Associations an update on the situation in the Western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, the operation’s evolutions and upcoming challenges on its path to becoming a comprehensive Maritime Security Provider. Also attending were representatives of CRIMARIO, AGENOR (FCDR and his COS), the Nato Shipping Centre and via VTC the Senior Coordinator of CMP NWIO, Ambassador Michael Pulch and the Chief of Staff of CMF
Also the same day, the OpCdr met Mr. Kitack Lim, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), at IMO Headquarters in London. He briefed Mr. Lim on Atalanta’s renewed mandate and underlined the indisputable commitment of Atalanta to preserve the freedom of navigation and securing the Sea lines of communications in its Area of Operations. In the context of the removal of the High Risk Area (HRA) by the Shipping Industry, both agreed on the need to encourage all merchant vessels transiting the Western Indian Ocean to comply with Best Management Practices for the self-protection of civilian vessels and to register in the voluntary registration scheme (VRS) of the Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa (MSCHOA), as the best way to ensure the security of navigation and immediate assistance in case of need. Since the protection of vulnerable vessels transiting in the Western Indian Ocean is one of the main tasks for the Operation, the relationship between Atalanta and the IMO is fluent.
- Change of Force Commander
On 15 February 2023, the Operation Commander (OPCDR) of the European Union Naval Force Operation Atalanta, Vice Admiral (VADM) José María Nuñez Torrente chaired the change of command ceremony between the 42nd and 43rd Rotation, which took place on board of the ESPS SANTA MARIA (outgoing EUNAVFOR flagship) and the ESPS REINA SOFIA (incoming EUNAVFOR Flagship) moored side by side in Souda Naval Base (Greece).
The ceremony was also attended by the Chief of Staff Portuguese Armed Forces Joint Operations Command, Vice Admiral Jorge Nobre de Sousa, and Spanish Joint Operations Command Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral Iñigo de la Puente Mora. The event took place in the presence of Rear Admiral Polychronis Koulouris, Deputy Fleet Commander in Chief Hellenic Fleet, Commodore Nektarios Lyberakis, Commander of Souda Bay Naval Base and Commodore Charalambos Thymis, Commander of the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre (NMIOTC).
The Force Commander of EU NAVFOR Operation Atalanta (FCdr), Portuguese Commodore Nuno Filipe Cortes Lopes, handed over the Command of Task Force 456 to Spanish Captain Juan María Ibáñez Martín. The OpCdr thanked outgoing Commodore Cortes, who was in command since 2 December 2022, for his leadership, commitment and effectiveness in the accomplishment of his tasks, and congratulated the staff of the 42nd Rotation for their work and effort during the deployment. Finally, he welcomed Captain Juan María Ibáñez Martin, wishing him good luck and success. Before the hand-over/take-over (HOTO), Vice Admiral Nobre de Sousa rewarded Santa Maria’s Commanding Officer, Commander Alfonso Moreno Cividanes, and Chief of Staff of the 42nd Rotation, Commander Juan C. Prada Pardal, with the Portuguese Cross of Saint George.
The new staff of Operation Atalanta FHQ’s 43rd Rotation is composed of members from seven different nations: Spain, Italy, Colombia, Montenegro, the Republic of Korea, Serbia and Djibouti.
- EU Commanders’ Conference in Paris
On 20 February, the OpCdr attended the EU Commanders’ Conference, chaired by Vice-Admiral Hervé Bléjean, Director-General of the European Union Military Staff, and hosted by the French operational headquarters. Around the topic of “State of play of the Strategic Compass and the road to 2025”, the OpCdr briefed the conference’s participants on Atalanta’s contribution to the Strategic Compass in the North-western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. The OpCdr also took the opportunity to exchange with Rear Admiral Stefano Turchetto, the OpCdr of EU NAVFOR-Med Irini.
Prior to the Commanders’ Conference the OpCdr met the French Deputy Chief of Defence in charge of operations (SCOPS), Vice Admiral Nicolas Vaujour. During the meeting topics of mutual interest were discussed, such as the future of the EU’s military engagement in the Indian Ocean and the Legal Finish on Atalanta’s executive tasks. The OpCdr used the opportunity to thank for the continuous French support to the operation.
- Presentation of the OPLAN to the EU Military Committee
On 22 February, the OpCdr presented the Operation Plan (OPLAN) to the EU Military Committee. The OPLAN translates the political guidance for the new mandate’s period into operational activities. In the next step, the OPLAN will be presented to the Politico-Security Committee (PSC) for endorsement.
During a port call to Djibouti in 6 and 7 February, the Commander of the U.S. Combined Joint Force Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), Major General Jamelle C. Shawley and her deputy, Brigadier General Valerie Jackson, paid a visit to the Force Commander, Commodore Nuno Cortes Lopes, on board of ESPS Santa Maria. During the visit, the FCdr provided an update on the operation and a tour on his flagship. They also discussed cooperation with the Federal Government of Somalia. The cooperation between ATALANTA and CJTF-HOA enhances stability and security in the region.
The same days, the crew of ESPS Santa Maria practiced Damage Control & Fire Fighting with members of the Djiboutian Coast Guard and of the Djiboutian Navy as part of training activities, which Atalanta conducts with regional partners whenever the opportunity occurs.
On 11 February, the Commander of the French Carrier Strike Group, Rear Admiral Christophe Cluzel, paid a visit to FCdr Commodore Nuno Cortes Lopes on board of EUNAVFOR flagship ESPS Santa Maria. The Carrier Strike Group, led by the aircraft carrier FS Charles De Gaulle, was deployed in Atalanta’s area of operations as part of the Antares mission, its 15th operational deployment since 2001. The Carrier Strike Group has been supporting to Atalanta during the last few weeks, significantly enhancing Atalanta's capabilities and performing joint activities at sea with Atalanta units: with ITS Carlo Bergamini (01 and 02 February) and ESPS Santa Maria (10 February) This cooperation at sea is paramount to increase the interoperability of EU units at sea and train together.
On 22 February, during the first ever port visit of a EUNAVFOR ship to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the Force Commander, Captain Juan María Ibáñez Martín, held a meeting with the Commander of the Border Guard in Mecca Region, Rear Admiral Fahad M. Al-Dajani. During the visit, new paths of collaboration and synergies were addressed, opening the door to arranging joint activities. Cooperation with countries like Saudi Arabia is paramount to provide maritime security, even more so since the Area of Operation has been extended to the entire Red Sea.
The French Carrier Strike Group, led by aircraft carrier FS Charles De Gaulle, was in Associated Support until 10 February. The French mission Jeanne d’Arc 2023, a regular real-life training deployment, consisting of the amphibious assault ship FS Dixmude and frigate FS La Fayette, joined Atalanta in Associated Support from 16 to 25 February, and in Direct Support from 26 February onwards. Since 18 February, we have additionally the French mine-hunter FS Andromede in Associated Support.
- 43rd Shared Awareness Meeting SAM in Singapore
On 16 February, Captain Rafael Torrecillas del Prado, Chief of Staff of Operation Atalanta’s HQ, represented the Operation during the annual Shared Awareness Meeting, co-organized by the Information Fusion Centre (IFC) and the Asian Shipowners’ Association (ASA). In his intervention he stressed the importance of complying with Best Management Practices and the voluntary registration scheme offered by the MSCHOA. During his stay in Singapore Captain Torrecillas had the opportunity to visit the IFC.
On 15 February, we celebrated with colleagues Milos and Dalibor the Day of Serbian Statehood, and on
16 February, we commemorated with our colleague Tomas the Restoration of Lithuania’s Independence in 1918. Congratulations to both Troop Contributing Nations, Lithuania and Serbia, and a big thank you!
