After 4 months in the hands of pirates, HANSA STAVANGER slipped quietly into the port of Mombasa under the watchful eye of the EU NAVFOR ship FGS BRANDENBURG. For the 236 EU NAVFOR soldiers of BRANDENBURG, the task of escorting the trading vessel into port is now complete.

On 3 August 2009 at 17.40 the German container ship was released after 120 days captivity from Somali pirates. On release, the EU NAVFOR ships RHEINLAND-PFALZ and BRANDENBURG arrived at the scene of the container ship’s release, in order to ensure its security and safe passage to Mombasa. EU NAVFOR soldiers went on board immediately, bringing food, water and clothes and a doctor attended to carry out medical examination of the HS crew.  25 helicopter flights were sent to provide supplies for the HANSA STAVANGER.

The general conditions for the crew, after the release by the pirates, were appalling and large areas had to be disinfected and made habitable once more. The pirates robbed the crew of many items of every day use such as clothes, clocks or even toothbrushes. Much kindness was shown by the crew of the EU NAVFOR ship BRANDENBURG who replaced the day to day items that had been stolen. Also simple nautical equipment such as binoculars and radios were made available to the HS, in order to ensure the safe onward voyage to Mombasa.

A substantial component of the assistance provided was medical and dental treatment and this was provided over the next few days on route to Mombasa. In a show of appreciation, the HANSA STAVANGER set the BRANDENBURG flag on her top front mast on arrival in Mombasa.

An EU NAVFOR press conference was carried out in the port of the Mombasa on the ships’ arrival for a large number of journalists. Over sixty representatives from the international media were provided with the latest information about the release of the HANSA STAVANGER and her support from, EU NAVFOR Atalanta. A representative of European Union headquarters in Northwood Lieutenant Commander Peter Benn RN attended with the Commanding Officer of EU NAVFOR ship BRANDENBURG, Torsten Ites.

Since 29 June the FGS BRANDENBURGhas been under the command of the first European Union Naval Force mission Atalanta. On Monday she will sail from Mombasa, in order to return to her EU NAVFOR duties.

EU NAVFOR ship BRANDENBURG leads HANSA STAVANGER safely into Mombasa

Mombasa 09 August 2009

After 4 months in the hands of pirates, HANSA STAVANGER slipped quietly into the port of Mombasa under the watchful eye of the EU NAVFOR ship FGS BRANDENBURG. For the 236 EU NAVFOR soldiers of BRANDENBURG, the task of escorting the trading vessel into port is now complete.

On 3 August 2009 at 17.40 the German container ship was released after 120 days captivity from Somali pirates. On release, the EU NAVFOR ships RHEINLAND-PFALZ and BRANDENBURG arrived at the scene of the container ship’s release, in order to ensure its security and safe passage to Mombasa. EU NAVFOR soldiers went on board immediately, bringing food, water and clothes and a doctor attended to carry out medical examination of the HS crew.  25 helicopter flights were sent to provide supplies for the HANSA STAVANGER.

The general conditions for the crew, after the release by the pirates, were appalling and large areas had to be disinfected and made habitable once more. The pirates robbed the crew of many items of every day use such as clothes, clocks or even toothbrushes. Much kindness was shown by the crew of the EU NAVFOR ship BRANDENBURG who replaced the day to day items that had been stolen. Also simple nautical equipment such as binoculars and radios were made available to the HS, in order to ensure the safe onward voyage to Mombasa.

A substantial component of the assistance provided was medical and dental treatment and this was provided over the next few days on route to Mombasa. In a show of appreciation, the HANSA STAVANGER set the BRANDENBURG flag on her top front mast on arrival in Mombasa.

An EU NAVFOR press conference was carried out in the port of the Mombasa on the ships’ arrival for a large number of journalists. Over sixty representatives from the international media were provided with the latest information about the release of the HANSA STAVANGER and her support from, EU NAVFOR Atalanta. A representative of European Union headquarters in Northwood Lieutenant Commander Peter Benn RN attended with the Commanding Officer of EU NAVFOR ship BRANDENBURG, Torsten Ites.

Since 29 June the FGS BRANDENBURG has been under the command of the first European Union Naval Force mission Atalanta. On Monday she will sail from Mombasa, in order to return to her EU NAVFOR duties.

Thank you for your interest in the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) support to the recently released ship HANSA STAVANGER.

We would like to inform you that the EU NAVFOR warship BRANDENBURG (escorting HANSA STAVANGER) is expected to enter Mombasa harbour on the morning of Saturday 8 August.

You will wish to be aware that a EU NAVFOR press facility will be held locally within a few hours of the ships arrival. EU NAVFOR will be represented by Lt Cdr Peter Benn (Operational Headquarters Public Information Officer) and Cdr s.g. Torsten Ites Commanding Officer EU NAVFOR ship BRANDENBURG.

Lt Cdr Peter Benn can be contacted for further information at email bennpeter@hotmail.com and telephone number +254 722 160967

The Press facility is being organised by Inchcape House, Archbishop Mamarios Close, Moi Avenue, Mombasa, Kenya.

You should be aware that there will be no other press facility onboard the EU NAVFOR ship or in the port area.

Best regards,

on behalf of
Cdr John Harbour
Chief Public Information Office

EU NAVFOR ship BRANDENBURG escorts MV HANSA STAVANGER

European Union Naval Force ship BRANDENBURG escorts MV HANSA STAVANGER to Mombasa.

HANSA STAVANGER is sailing under her own steam and with her own crew.

The German owned container vessel HANSA STAVANGER has been held hostage by Somali pirates since April 4th this year. Following a successful handover of ransom yesterday afternoon, HANSA STAVANGER was released a few hours later.

Shortly after the pirates had left, German crew EU NAVFOR ship RHEINLAND-PFALZ were embarked on the container vessel by helicopter to assess the situation, provide medical aid and logistical assistance and protection.

Simultaneously, the German Frigates RHEINLAND-PFALZ and BRANDENBURG operating in EU-Operation Atalanta approached HANSA STAVANGER.

A variety of essentials, including fresh water, provisions, hygienic products and clothes, was transferred from the German warships to HANSA STAVANGER during the same night. All private belongings of the crew had been taken away by the pirates previously. The crew of HANSA STAVANGER was examined by the medical officer of German Frigate BRANDENBURG and, under the circumstances, the crew of HANSA STAVANGER are in relativly good health.

HANSA STAVANGER will now be escorted by the German Navy to her next port of call.

The 20,000-tonne container vessel, HANSA STAVANGER, was captured about 400 miles off the southern Somali port of Kissmaayo on 4 April.

European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) ships are escorting HANSA STAVANGER to sea.

Crew member nationalities include Germany, Russia, Ukraine and Philippines.