Swedish Defence Minister visiting HSwMS Carlskrona

On 12 of August the Swedish Minister of Defence, Sten Tolgfors visited EU NAVFOR’s Swedish warship HSwMS CARLSKRONA in Djibouti.

The Minister received a presentation about the European Union mission, Operation ATALANTA from the present EU NAVFOR Force Commander Rear Admiral (LH) Jan Thörnqvist. He also met and thanked the Swedish sailors and soldiers onboard and stated: “Sweden supports the important objectives and tasks of EU NAVFOR Operation ATALANTA. I am very proud that Sweden is a participant within EU NAVFOR and also the excellent performance made by our sailors and soldiers”.
 
Minister Sten Tolgfors then stated that: “Sweden is taking part in Operation ATALANTA to fight piracy for two reasons. First, from a humanitarian perspective by protecting UN food supplies, thus supplying about 1.5 million internally displaced persons in Somalia. The second reason is that it is in Sweden’s interest to keep the trade routes by sea open. It would have a significant impact on the European economy if shipping would be prevented from using the Suez Canal and instead be forced to transit around the southern part of Africa”.

Picture Gallery:

MV SUEZ

In the early hours of 2 August, the MV SUEZ reported being under small arms fire from a pirate attack and minutes later she reported pirates on board. After notification of the attack, attempts were made to make contact with the MV SUEZ but to no avail. MV SUEZ was travelling in the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) when attacked. Immediately after the first report a helicopter was directed to the ship but pirates had already taken over the command of the vessel.  

The MV SUEZ, deadweight 17, 300 tonnes with a crew of 23 (Egypt, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India Nationalities), is a Panama flagged merchant vessel with a cargo of cement bags. EU NAVFOR is monitoring the situation.

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.

RFS ADMIRAL LEVCHENKO

On 26 July, the Russian destroyer ADMIRAL LEVCHENKO began escorting a World Food Programme (WFP) shipment, in support of EU NAVFOR. Force Commander Jan Thörnqvist said:  “This is a clear demonstration of the excellent co-operation between our European Task Force 465 and the Russian Navy”.

 EU NAVFOR welcomes the involvement of the Russian Navy in Operation ATALANTA’s main task of escorting World Food Programme (WFP) vessels.  The WFP has provided more than half a million tonnes of food into Somalia since late 2007.

The destroyer ADMIRAL LEVCHENKO arrived in the Gulf of Aden earlier this month to take part in the counter-piracy mission off the coast of Somalia; she relieved the destroyer MARSHAL SHAPOSHNIKOV.

EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the World Food Programme (WFP) and vessels of  African Union Mission in Somalia, AMISOM and to protect vulnerable vessels 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.

FS JEAN BART

The French air defence destroyer JEAN BART has joined the EU NAVFOR Task Force for the period 20th to 31^st July.  She is the second of the air defence destroyer class Cassard, with a displacement of 4500 tonnes, a length of 139 meters and a beam of 14 meters.

Force Commander Jan Thörnqvist stated: “Since being commissioned on 21 September 1991, JEAN BART has been deployed on numerous occasions to the Mediterranean, the Atlantic and Indian Oceans as well as the Horn of Africa, she is a most welcome contribution”.

As well as her various weapon systems (100mm gun, SM1 and Mistral air defence missiles and Exocet anti-ship missiles) JEAN BART is fitted with one Panther (Eurocopter Dolphin class) helicopter and one Boarding Team.

The crew of 240 sailors with an average age of 27 is able to carry out various missions and tasks and remain at sea  for prolonged periods.

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

The EU NAVFOR Force Headquarters Chief of Staff, Commander Benedetto Esposito, presents an EU NAVFOR Crest to the chief of the Yemeni Coast Guard, Brigadier General Mohamed Ali Rasa.

A delegation from EU NAVFOR Force Headquarters made a successful visit to the Chief of the Yemeni Coast Guard and Deputy Commander of the Yemeni Navy. The visit was a follow up on HNLMS JOHAN DE WITT’s earlier visit to Yemen and also in preparation for further co-operation between EU NAVFOR and Yemen.

 

A few weeks ago, HNLMS JOHAN DE WITT conducted a joint training exercise with the Yemeni Coast Guard. Increased co-operation and information sharing between EU NAVFOR and the regional states is important for the success of Operation ATALANTA and other maritime safety and security issues.  Strong partnership between the International community and the regional nations is the long term solution to piracy in the region.  The delegation was enthusiastically welcomed by the Yemeni authorities. This event has enhanced the growing co-operation and understanding between the Yemeni authorities and the Task Forces operating in the region, EU NAVFOR, the Combined Maritime Force – CTF 151 and the NATO Task Force.

EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the World Food Programme (WFP) and vessels of  African Union Mission in Somalia, AMISOM and to protect vulnerable vessels 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.

Deputy Commander with Officer Commanding Force Headquaters SA in Djibouti

Rear Admiral Bartolome Bauzá, Deputy Commander of EU NAVFOR Somalia -Operation ATALANTA, paid a recent visit to Djibouti to meet with key political  and military authorities in the country.

He also visited the Force HQ Support Area, the Spanish, German and French Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) detachments, the Combined Joint Task Force, Horn Of Africa and the Japanese MPRA detachment in Camp Lemonier.

During the trip, the EU Ambassador, Mr Nicola Delcroix, organised a reception, which was co – hosted by RAdm Bauzá, in order to express his gratitude for the support received from Djiboutian authorities and French representatives. He took the opportunity to emphasize the transfer of authority from the French Embassy to the EU Delegation for Operation ATALANTA matters.

During his call on political authorities, RAdm Bauzá expressed EUNAVFOR’s gratitude for all the support received by Djibouti, and proposed increasing the relationship with ATALANATA and enhancing EU/Djiboutian.

During the visit to General Fathi Ahmed Houssein, the Chief of Joint Staff of National Armed Forces, thanked the Djiboutian Armed Forces for their constant support. He also proposed closer cooperation with the Djiboutian Navy to enable them to conduct surveillance, engaged in counter-piracy operation outside in the Djiboutian EEZ and in the GOA in close coordination with coalition forces.

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.

Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope KCB OBE ADC, the First Sea Lord of the Royal Navy and Captain Paul Chivers OBE, the Headquarter’s Chief of Staff

Today, Thursday 4 March 2010, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope KCB OBE ADC, the First Sea Lord of the Royal Navy visited the Headquarters of the EU Naval Force Somalia – Operation Atalanta.

This informal visit was the first time that the First Sea Lord had visited the purpose built Headquarters from where the EU Operation Atalanta is run. The Admiral was extremely impressed with the facilities and was pleased to see the EU multinational HQ in full operation. Admiral Stanhope stated that “this is a very important multinational operation for the UK to be part of and stands alongside the contributions that the Royal Navy is making to the other anti piracy forces in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean”.

EU NAVFOR was established in late 2008 after the problem of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean escalated out of control. The EU Council, under French presidency decided to take action.  Consequently, in October that year, the Commander UK Maritime Forces (COMUKMARFOR) was selected to lead the EU’s first maritime mission under European Security and Defence Policy and the United Kingdom offered their Operational Headquarters in Northwood, near London.  Rear Admiral Peter Hudson CBE is the current Operational Commander.  Captain Paul Chivers OBE, who accompanied Admiral Stanhope, is the Headquarter’s Chief of Staff.
The Royal Navy has fully engaged with both EU NAVFOR and other international efforts, including NATO and Coalition Maritime Forces, to counter Somali based piracy in the GOA and the Indian Ocean.

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.

Rear Admiral Peter Hudson with Major General Li Ning (left)

On the afternoon of 2 March, EU NAVFOR hosted a visit by the Major General Li Ning, Defence Counsellor Chinese Mission to the European Union.

The Chinese delegation was greeted by Rear Admiral Peter Hudson CBE, 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 Chinese 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).

Maj Gen Li Ning had the opportunity to meet several of the international staff from many EU member states. He also met the civilian Merchant Navy representatives who run MSCHOA and who work alongside their military colleagues.
The Chinese delegation was extremely impressed with the Operational Headquarters and the professionalism of the European multinational anti piracy team. The Head of delegation stated that he “looked forward to continuing the excellent cooperation with EU NAVFOR and other coalition partners and to strengthening the bonds of friendship between EU NAVFOR and the Chinese task force in the Gulf of Aden”.

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.

Suspected pirates

Recent photographic evidence from anti piracy coalition forces show that pirates continue to roam the International Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) in search of prey.

Earlier today a coalition helicopter photographed suspicious skiff activity in the Gulf of Aden in the middle of the IRTC and other suspicious activity has been witnessed by EU NAVFOR units.

An alert has been issued to all ships in the area and Masters of merchant vessels have been warned to keep a good lookout and adopt best management practice (BMP) when transiting through the area in accordance with the Maritime Security Centre (Horn of Africa) MSCHOA website www.mschoa.org.

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. EUNAVFOR also monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.

M/V Ariella

Early on the morning of 5 Feb 2010, the M/V ARIELLA came under attack from Somali pirates who were able to get onboard and attempted to take control of the ship.

The ARIELLA was sailing in a “Group Transit” within the International Recognised Transit Corridor (IRTC) under the protection of Coalition navies. An alert went out, picked up from an Indian Warship TABAR who sent out a general message on the Mercury communication system. An EU NAVFOR French Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) was quickly on the scene and confirmed a sighting of armed pirates on the deck of the ARIELLA. The MPA made contact with Battle Watch Officers from the NATO Danish Warship ABSALON from CTF 508.

The NATO ship ensured that the crew onboard were safe before the decision was made to send in the specialist teams.  At the same time as NATO ship ABSALON boarded ARIELLA, sailors from the Russian Navy ship Neustrashimyy who was operating nearby, successfully boarded and detained a second pirate skiff. The ongoing co-operation between the maritime partners, the EU Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) and NATO Combined Maritime Force 151 (CMF 151), together with maritime nations, such as the Russian and Indian navies led to the successful release of M/V ARIELLA.

M/V ARIELLA is an Antigua and Barbuda Flagged vessel owned by Splosna Plovba, International Shipping and Chartering Ltd, Slovenia. She has a crew of 25 and the nationalities are 1 Bulgarian, 15 Filipino, 1 Slovakian, 1 Indian and 7 Ukrainian and they are all safe. The ship was registered with MSC HOA, was in contact with UKMTO and was part of a Group Transit when she was attacked.

EU NAVFOR strongly recommends that all vessels that transit through the high risk areas, namely Gulf of Aden, Somali Basin and Indian Ocean implement their ships security plan that follows all guidance and advice that is set out and contained in Best Management Practices (BMP). Reference should be made to MSC HOA website www.mschoa.org.

EUNAVFOR SOMALIA Operation ATALANTA main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the ‘World Food Program’ (WFP), to protect vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and to deter and disrupt piracy.