Protecting potentially vulnerable vessels from piracy off the coast of Somalia is one of Operation Atalanta’s key tasks. Italian warship, ITS Euro, recently escorted World Food Programme (WFP) ship MV Antaios as she transited through the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden carrying precious food-aid.

Since Operation Atalanta began in 2008, 385 WFP chartered vessels have been protected by the EU Naval Force, either by traditional escort using warships or by the embarking of an Autonomous Vessel Protection Detachment (AVPD). These escorts and AVPDs have ensured 1,200,614 metric tons of WFP food-aid have so far been delivered to Somalia.

As well as protecting WFP ships, Op Atalanta warships continue to patrol waters off the Somali coast to deter and disrupt piracy. Operation personnel also support sister EU missions in Somalia to achieve increased maritime security for the region.