Dear reader,
We have reached the end of a year full of challenges and success for the Operation. At this time, I can proudly say that ATALANTA is more relevant than ever and that we look ahead with optimism and determination to continue on this path.
Looking back, I would first like to highlight the great success of solving the piracy incident “MV HELLAS APHRODITE” in early November. It demonstrated ATALANTA's ability to cooperate and synchronise regional and international forces to effectively address any maritime security incidents in the region.
Additionally, it is also important to underline the three major capacity-enhancement exercises carried out this year in Kenya, Djibouti and the Seychelles, which have strengthened cooperation with these three countries. They are essential to the maritime security architecture in the region, together with Somalia and Oman.
The numerous exercises, operations, and local maritime capacity-building activities that ATALANTA conducts with many regional nations provide to the EU a tangible tool of presence and influence in the area. I want to highlight the recent interaction between the Indian Navy and ATALANTA, and the DOLAREH II exercise, in which Japan’s participation was a highpoint. Both responded to the High Representative/Vice-President's specific guidance and the EU's objective for influence and relevance, and both activities were carried out at a high level within a short planning period. I assess that these activities respond directly to the EU strategy in the Indian Ocean and have a greater effect than regular naval diplomacy. Moreover, with piracy under control, I consider that ATALANTA’s most important output is helping to fill, for the EU, the strategic gap in presence, activity, and influence across the region.
December also marks the anniversary of the Operation ATALANTA, launched on 8 December 2008. After 17 years of constant evolution and adaptation to the demands of a highly volatile security situation in the Area of Operations. Based on my previous words, I may state with absolute certainty that ATALANTA is ready to continue on its path as a contributor to maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean, and to meet all the expectations that the European Union places on us.
I’d like to end with my best wishes for a successful year 2026.
Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano
EUNAVFOR ATALANTA Operation Commander
On Friday, December 12, the European External Action Service - Security and Defence Policy Directorate chaired a hybrid meeting with major stakeholders from the maritime private industry. The meeting included representatives from INTERTANKO, OCIMF, BIMCO, INTERCARGO, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), and the European Shipowners| European Community Shipowners Associations (ES|ECSA).
EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA Commander, Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano, presented an update on ATALANTA’s most recent activities, with a special focus on the HELLAS APHRODITE piracy incident.
During December, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA forces deployed in the Area of Operations have conducted numerous friendly approaches to fishermen off the coast of Somalia. These encounters allow ATALANTA to learn first-hand about any incidents that may have occurred at sea, the safety of the crews and their concerns. They also allow ATALANTA to promote the Operation, build trust, and, in many cases, provide direct assistance.
Early December, during the scheduled port visit in Djibouti, Operation ATALANTA Force Commander Commodore João Silva conducted several meetings with national and international military authorities. These meetings, which are held on a regular basis, enable better understanding, strengthen ties and improve efforts to ensure maritime security in the region.
Moreover, during the port visit, Operation ATALANTA flagship ESPS VICTORIA received the visit of the European Union Ambassador to Djibouti, H.E. Denisa-Elena Ionete on 3 December.
ATALANTA is a vital tool for the actions of the EU Delegations actions in Africa and Middle East. Furthermore, the EU Delegation to Djibouti role as a bridge between the Djibouti authorities and ATALANTA is key, as this country provides essential support for the Operation, both in terms of logistics and its involvement in maritime security in the region.
On 5 December, Operation ATALANTA escorted the merchant vessel LADY DIMINE, chartered by the World Food Programme, during her transit through the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb until her safe arrival at the Port of Aden in Yemen. The merchant vessel was carrying 12 tons of wheat bound for Yemen and has arrived with no incidents.
Multiple alerts of attacks in the area were received previously, resulting in an increased threat assessment for the Gulf of Aden region, specifically the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait region. As a consequence, on 5 December, late afternoon, Operation ATALANTA flagship ESPS VICTORIA initiated the escort of World Food Programme vessel LADY DIMINE while she was already sailing in the Red Sea and was about to cross the area where the attacks had occurred, thus ensuring her safe passage. The escort concluded on 7 December afternoon with the safe arrival of LADY DIMINE at her port of destination.
During the following days, ATALANTA flagship escorted a second World Food Program vessel, MARINA S, having the opportunity to verify the security of the crew and ensure that the vessel was proceeding without any incident.
The protection of World Food Programme vessels is one of the main executive tasks of Operation ATALANTA’s mandate. Since its launch in 2008, Operation ATALANTA has ensured the protection of around 2,500 vessels, transporting more than 3,300,000 tonnes of food/aid delivered to Somali ports by World Food Programme shipping protected by EUNAVFOR ATALANTA.
In December, EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA social media and website promoted the Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean (MSCIO) Weekly Reports and the latest Industry Releasable Threat Assessment (IRTA). The purpose of this report is to articulate the maritime security threat to merchant and large fishing vessels transiting the Red Sea, Bab al Mandeb Strait, Gulf of Aden and the Western Indian Ocean.
Operation ATALANTA publishes multiple reports to inform about the situation in the Area of Operations, being uploaded in the MSCIO website.
On 16 December 2025, Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano, ATALANTA Operation Commander held a meeting with the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA). The EFCA was represented by Ms. Susan Steele, Executive Director and Mr. Mario Santos, Head of Unit Mediterranean, Black Sea, Indian Ocean and South Atlantic. The meeting was intended to find synergies between both parties.
In December, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA was supported in different levels by ships from Spain and Italy.
On 8 December 2008 Operation ATALANTA was launched. As part of the EU’s Integrated Approach to the Horn of Africa, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA remains firmly committed to its mandate and to maritime security in the Area of Operation.
At the end of 2008, the Council of the European Union adopted Resolution 2008/851/CFSP, in line with a number of UN resolutions, and established the first EU maritime military operation - Operation ATALANTA, with the aim to contribute to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy off the coast of Somalia. Over time, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA's mandate has been adapted to reflect the evolving situation in the region and the increased presence of the international community. The aim was to develop the Operation into a tool of the EU as a maritime security provider in the North-West Indian Ocean, while maintaining the focus on counter-piracy.
During these 17 years, Operation ATALANTA has protected more than 2500 World Food Programme vessels with a total of 3,300,000 tonnes of food and other aid distributed in Somalia. Also, up to 177 pirates have being transferred to competent authorities, and up to 566 piracy cases were faced since 2008. In addition, almost 16 tonnes of narcotics have been seized in 8 counter-narcotics operations. ATALANTA is an effective tool of naval diplomacy and underlines the importance of international cooperation and the need to maintain an active presence to prevent and combat illegal activities in the Area of Operations.
On 9 December, personnel from EUNAVFOR ATALANTA's ORION detachment deployed in Djibouti participated in the local GRAND BARA race, together with partners and friends from local and international forces in the country. These activities promote friendship and mutual trust among all participants.
On 18 December, ATALANTA OHQ personnel took part in the Christmas Race organized by the Rota Naval Base, where the OHQ facilities are located. The Operation Headquarters has been stablished at the Base since March 2019.
ATALANTA personnel deployed onboard the flagship ESPS VICTORIA, at MSCIO (Brest, France) and at Detachment ORION (Djibouti).
On 24 December, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA joined in the Christmas celebrations, sharing greetings from all our personnel, especially those deployed in the Area of Operation.
