World Food Programme (WFP) chartered vessel, MV Douro, is operating in the waters off Somalia with an embarked Serbian Autonomous Vessel Protection Detachment (AVPD). This Detachment is provided by Operation Atalanta to ensure the valuable humanitarian aid cargo is protected from piracy attack whilst transiting along the Somali coastline.

Operation Atalanta’s Italian Warship, ITS Euro, was recently in the vicinity of MV Douro whilst she was anchored in Bossasso so the Italian sailors took the opportunity to deliver provisions to their Serbian colleagues. They were warmly welcomed aboard MV Douro and hosted in the Wardroom by the AVPD Commander and the ship’s captain.

Both the Serbian and Italian contingents enjoyed the visit and the chance to meet each other at sea. After the visit, the Italian sailors returned to ITS Euro to continue their patrols in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean to deter and disrupt piracy to keep seafarers safe.