HS HYDRA is a MEKO 200HN type multiple role frigate which has been in the service of the Hellenic Navy since March 1992. She has a displacement of 3,350 tons, a crew of 189 and carries an SH-70 Sea Hawk helicopter.

The Greek ship joins EU NAVFOR to protect merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the World Food Program, other vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean as well as operations to deter and disrupt piracy while monitoring fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.

Rear Admiral Thomas E P Jugel

On departure from the Operation ATALANTA area of operations, the Force Commander, Admiral Jugel gave the following interview:

Under your command, Germany for the first time provided the flagship for Operation ATALANTA. What is your personal summary?

“I do think, in all modesty, it was a great success. The primary mission was completely accomplished, with humanitarian aid of the World Food Programme reaching the ports of the region without damage, thanks to the protection afforded by ATALANTA. Moreover, we also managed to reduce piracy. Despite an ever-increasing number of pirate attacks, their success rate in the theatre of operations during this season was as low as seldom before. The German contribution, which consisted not only of German command and frigate BAYERN as the flagship, but also of frigate KOELN and the ORION aircraft, was certainly of key importance for the success.”

 Several international task forces operate simultaneously off the Horn of Africa for a common goal, i.e. to fight piracy. How do they cooperate?

“Here, you have touched upon an important aspect. The European Union makes a substantial anti-piracy contribution, but it is not alone in its military campaign. There is an excellent cooperation with other maritime forces, mainly of NATO and the Coalition Maritime Forces (CMF). Furthermore, close contact has been maintained to other naval forces not committed to a coalition, such as Chinese and Russian units. Our mandates may not be fully identical, but we all pull together.”

 Can you give us an idea of how the different ships of different nations are actually coordinated?

“Let me answer this question by giving you two examples. According to an agreement, I was entrusted with coordinating all military operations of EU, NATO and CMF in the Somali Basin. My objective was to replace the informal exchange of information by a genuine synchronisation of operational and tactical activities. That objective was fully achieved – planning and conduct of such activities have been continuously synchronised in detail with regard to place and time.  Moreover, independently operating warships in certain cases declared their willingness to escort merchant ships carrying humanitarian goods.”

So can we say that, in the last four months, Operation ATALANTA has successfully reduced piracy off the Horn of Africa?

“Certainly, ATALANTA has substantially contributed to this success. But besides the military activities, there have been other very successful anti-piracy efforts which must not be forgotten. I am talking about the industry, shipping companies, and masters of merchant ships and their increasingly responsible behaviour. Fortunately, recommended physical protective measures have been increasingly applied and there are less ships which are not complying with Best Management Practice. Armed private security teams can also help to deter pirates, as long as they are sufficiently qualified and perhaps even certified.” 

International media have criticised the fact that suspected pirates have been sent back to Somalia. Do you understand that it is hard for the general public to accept that course of action?

“Of course, I understand that it is simply frustrating to be forced to set alleged pirates free because there is no chance of a successful prosecution. However, to motivate my soldiers, I would like to point out the following: Given the current number of more than 200 innocent hostages taken by pirates and held under inhumane conditions, every single act of kidnapping prevented by ATALANTA and every hostage rescue operation gives a positive answer to the question of meaning. That is all the motivation we need.”

From your personal perspective, where do you see a need for action and development to make a long-term success of the mission?

“For years there has been consensus among all commentators that maritime forces only fight the symptoms of piracy. They argue that the problem can only be solved ashore in Somalia. I unreservedly agree with that analysis. What we need is a holistic approach, the much-cited “comprehensive approach” to achieve any long-term effect. For Operation ATALANTA it will, in future, be necessary to further provide the capabilities required to further implement and operationally develop robust anti-piracy measures.”  

Irrespective of your success as a naval commander, did you go through difficult moments?

“During my time as Force Commander more robust anti-piracy measures were taken for the first time. For example, freeing hostages against pirate resistance does involve certain risks as do disruptions of Pirate Action Groups at sea. I am all the more happy that I could bring home all members of my task force safe and sound.”  

After a more than four-month tour of duty, what are you personally looking forward to most?

“Most of all, I am looking forward to my family and to weekends that deserve being called weekends.”

On 24 November 2011, FGS KÖLN conducted her last day of operations as a part of EU NAVFOR, after 74 days in the Gulf of Aden and the Somali Basin. 

During this deployment, FGS KÖLN was tasked in all aspects of Operation ATALANTA, ranging from the escort of World Food Programme ships carrying food-aid into Somalia to counter-piracy and surveillance operations along the Somali coast.

A total of 42 failed pirates were stopped at sea and seven small boats from four separate groups were destroyed. In addition, five Somali fishermen were rescued and the hijacked Dhow AL JABAL, with two Yemeni hostages on board, was handed over to Yemeni authorities and her owner.

EU NAVFOR Operation Commander, Rear Admiral Duncan L. Potts, expressed his thanks to the Commanding Officer and ship’s company, stating:-

“As you leave the Operation ATALANTA theatre, I offer my congratulations and thanks for all you have done and achieved this autumn. Proactive & determined, your actions in not only defending World Food Programme Programme ships against the pirates but more significantly your action to neutralise a number of pirate action groups has made a hugely important contribution to our campaign. You can be immensely proud of what you have done and I wish you a safe return to Germany.

Commander of the Task Force 465, Rear Admiral Thomas E.P. Jugel wrote:- “Your spirit, excellence and eagerness were more than welcome in EUNAVFOR Somalia Operation ATALANTA.”

This deployment marks the end of the FGS KÖLN’s career after 27 years of service in the German Navy as she will be decommissioned on return to Germany.

EU NAVFOR conducts counter-piracy in the Indian Ocean and is responsible for the protection of World Food Program ships carrying humanitarian aid for the people of Somalia and the logistic support vessels of the African Union troops conducting Peace Support Operations in Somalia. Additionally, EU NAVFOR monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.

FGS KÖLN

Winner of the Lloyds-List Award

Last Wednesday, counter-piracy naval forces were presented the 2011 “Newsmaker of the Year Award” by Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, DP World, UAE Region.

The ceremony was organised by Lloyd’s List and took place in the Baniyas Ballroom of the Grand Hyatt Dubai. The European Union was represented by Commander Stephen Draper Royal Navy from EU NAVFOR Operation ATALANTA to receive this distinction together with representatives from Combined Maritime Forces (Captain Tony Aldred Royal Australian Navy) and NATO (Lieutenant Commander Mark Reed Royal Navy).

This award was presented by the Editor of Lloyd’s List, Richard Meade, to the three major counter-piracy naval forces for having influenced a key aspect of the news agenda with their outstanding efforts to combat the threat piracy off the coast of Somalia. On receiving the Award, on behalf of the maritime forces, Captain Tony Aldred, highlighted the tremendous cooperation and dedication from the maritime industry and navies working together to combat piracy by commenting – “Piracy is a global threat that demands a global response. The highly cooperative approach by all counter-piracy forces along with the maritime community’s commitment to the Best Management Practices Version 4 have undoubtedly been key factors in saving many ships and crews from being pirated.  We are proud to be part of the solution towards ultimately defeating the scourge of piracy.”

EU NAVFOR conducts counter-piracy in the Indian Ocean and is responsible for the protection of World Food Program ships carrying humanitarian aid for the people of Somalia and the logistic support vessels of the African Union troops conducting Peace Support Operations in Somalia. Additionally, EU NAVFOR monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.

The winning entries are below:

FIRST: Luis Carlos Amaral Laranjeria

SECOND: Paulo Alexandre Goncalves Bolinhas

THIRD : Carlos Ferreira do Amaral

Djiboutian Minister of Foreign Affairs visited EUNAVFOR

On 24 June, HE Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, the Djiboutian Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited EUNAVFOR Operational Headquarters in the UK accompanied by a delegation of senior officials from Djibouti. The group included the Djiboutian Ambassador to UK, HE Rachad Farah and the Deputy Director of International Organisation, Mohamed Idriss Farah.
The visitors were met by the EUNAVFOR Deputy Commander, Rear Admiral Guido Rando and they received an update on EUNAVFOR operations by the Executive Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Andy Price RM, before discussing training and logistic matters of mutual interest.

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 ‘African Union Mission in Somalia’ (AMISOM), 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.

FS NIVOSE

FS NIVOSE completed her deployment as an EU NAVFOR warship after thirty four days proudly flying the European Flag.

During this period she has conducted a variety of tasks in the force and has always been ready for any duties and demonstrated a proactive attitude to face all challenges in order to achieve the objectives of Operation ATALANTA Of note she was involved in the disruption of a pirated Yemeni dhow,  as well as the disruption of a pirated Iranian fishing dhow, which was pirated a year ago and has been used as a mother ship in the vicinity of the Arabian Sea.

In his farewell signal to the French frigate the EU NAVFOR Force Commander Alberto Correia said:” Your proactive role and your engagement in this operation have had a great impact on the counter-piracy mission led by the European Union.”

EUNAVFOR Op Commander, Maj Gen Buster Howes OBE (left) and the Tanzanian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Bernard Membe (right)

On Monday 28 March 2011, the Tanzanian Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Bernard Membe, along with his delegation visited the Operation ATALANTA Headquarters (OHQ) in Northwood. Mr Membe was accompanied on his visit by Diane Corner, the British High Commissioner to Tanzania and Peter Kallaghe, the Tanzanian High Commissioner to the UK.

On arrival at the Headquarters, the minister was met by Major General Buster Howes OBE, Operation Commander, EUNAVFOR and members of his staff.  The delegation received a brief on Operation ATALANTA from the Chief of Staff, Colonel Richard Spencer OBE and a situational update from the intelligence section.  The briefs highlighted current pirate trends and piracy incidents with particular reference to the areas around Tanzania and her neighbouring countries.   Major General Howes emphasised the requirement for continual regional engagement and awareness in order to enhance the counter piracy effort.

Mr Membe thanked Major General Howes for the briefs and for further informing his understanding of the piracy situation within the Indian Ocean, and was keen to increase Tanzania’s engagement with EUNAVFOR.

EUNAVFOR units regularly visit DAR ES SALAAM port, providing surveillance in the Tanzanian and neighbouring waters.  The visit enhanced the already strong EUNAVFOR – Tanzania relationship, with increased engagement in the future welcomed by both parties.

EUNAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the World Food Program (WFP) and vessels of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). EUNAVFOR also protects vulnerable vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, deters and disrupts piracy. EUNAVFOR finally monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.

In the afternoon of 1 January, the MV BLIDA was pirated approximately 150 nautical miles South East of the port of Salalah, Oman.

The 20,586 tonne Bulk Carrier is Algerian flagged and owned. The vessel was on her way to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from Salalah in Oman at the time of the attack.  No further details of the attack are known at this stage. MV Blida has a crew of 27 (Algerian, Ukrainian and Philippino) and is carrying a cargo of Clinker.   MV BLIDA was registered with MSC(HOA) but had not reported to UKMTO.

There are now 28 vessels and 654 hostages being held by pirates off the coast of Somalia.

EUNAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the World Food Program (WFP) and vessels of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). EUNAVFOR also protects vulnerable vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, deters and disrupts piracy. EUNAVFOR finally monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.

FS MONTCALM

The French Destroyer MONTCALM joined the EUNAVFOR Task Force on the 22 December.

Commanded by Captain Guillaume Chove, the ship and its crew are fully prepared and trained to take an active part within EUNAVFOR. MONTCALM is equipped with extensive self defence capability and includes a helicopter. The warship has an advanced medical facility and has Arabic interpreters integrated within its crew. 

As a flexible warship, MONTCALM is well adapted to counter-piracy missions and will improve the capability of EUNAVFOR to protect vulnerable vessels, especially those of the World Food Programme, to deter and prevent acts of piracy, and to contribute to monitoring fishing activities off the coast of Somalia.

D-642 MONTCALM holds 255 crew members, including 20 officers. She has been commissioned for service in the French Navy since 1982. The warship has a displacement of 3.800 tons and a length of 139 meters.

EUNAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the World Food Program (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. EUNAVFOR also monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.