EU Naval Force - Somalia
Operation ATALANTA

On the morning of 2 March EU NAVFOR hosted a visit by the United Kingdom House of Lords, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Development Policy.

The chairman, Lord Teverson, and the five representatives were greeted by Rear Admiral Peter Hudson, Operational Commander of EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA. The delegation was given a tour of the new Operational Headquarters building, specifically designed for Operations and into which EU NAVFOR moved recently. During their visit the delegation was given a briefing on the operation and EU NAVFOR’s fight against piracy visiting the Joint Operations Centre (JOC) which also houses the Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa (MSCHOA).

The representatives had the opportunity to meet several of the international staff from many EU member states, including the civilian Merchant Navy representatives who work within MSCHOA. Lord Teverson said that he was delighted to see the EU Naval Force Headquarters in action and was impressed by the professionalism and dedication of this multi national headquarters.

EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the ‘World Food Program’ (WFP) and vessels of AMISOM, and to protect vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and to deter and disrupt piracy. EU NAVFOR also monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.