Rota, 13 March 2024 – Operation ATALANTA confirms the piracy event involving the Bangladesh-flagged Bulk carrier merchant vessel ABDULLAH. Operation ATALANTA has been the first actor to respond. Currently one ATALANTA ship is shadowing the pirate vessel. Furthermore, Operation ATALANTA is in contact with Bangladesh and Somali authorities, with our partners in maritime security in the area, such as the Indian Navy, and regional forces, to coordinate the most efficient action. The situation on board is that Pirates have seized and taken its 23-member crew hostage. The crew is safe, and the action is still ongoing. The ship is sailing towards the Somali coast.
EUNAVFOR ATALANTA is fully committed to ensure maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean, being a reference in the fight against piracy during the last 15 years.