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.

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.

JAIPUR in front of Moqdisho - EU-Bags with Grain in JAIPUR´s hold

14.000 tons of food have been delivered successfully to the starving people of Somalia from Mombasa, Kenya to Moqdisho in order to prevent the predicted famine in Somalia.

The humanitarian aid shipping, conducted by the merchant ship JAIPUR, was arranged by order and for account of the World Food Programme of the United Nations.

During the several day lasting journey the vessel was escorted by the European Union Naval Force warship FGS RHEINLAND-PFALZ, a German Navy frigate. This frigate is operating off the coasts of Somalia since February this year and is part of the EU led Operation Atalanta.

The European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Atalanta, countering piracy around the Horn of Africa, on 2^nd of May has been reinforced by an incoming Greek ship, the frigate HS NIKIFOROS FOKAS.

After HS PSARA, the first flag ship of the operation, had left early April, Greece now is contributing with another unit. The HS NIKIFOROS FOKAS (F 466), named after a Greek hero from the 10^th century, is one of 10 originally Dutch KORTENAER-class frigates in service in the Greek Navy. The frigate has a displacement of 3500 tons, is equipped with several missile systems for anti-surface and anti-air warfare, torpedoes for anti-submarine warfare, several medium and light guns and also one organic helicopter, and has a crew of approximately 200. She will stay with the Task Force for several months.

The current composition of EU NAVFOR Atalanta is showing 11 ships plus 4 Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA). Force Commander is Captain Juan Garat Caramé.

-         ESPS NUMANCIA ( Spanish frigate, flagship)

-         HS NIKIFOROS FOKAS (Greek frigate)

-         FGS RHEINLAND-PFALZ (German frigate)

-         FGS EMDEN (German frigate)

-         FGS MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN (German frigate)

-         ITS MAESTRALE (Italian frigate)

-         FS COMMANDANT DUCUING (French frigate)

-         FS NIVOSE (French frigate)

-         FS ALBATROS (French Patrol boat)

-         ESPS MARQUES DE LA ENSENADA (Spanish tanker)

-         FGS BERLIN (German supply ship)

-         P3 ORION (Spanish MPRA)

-         P3 ORION (German MPRA)

-         BREGUET ATLANTIC (French MPRA)

-         FALCON 50 (French small MPRA)

Next reinforcement will be 2 Swedish corvettes plus 1 supply unit in the middle of May.

The operators of the vessel MSC CRUISETECH kindly forwarded a message of thanks to EU NAVFOR and all the parties involved for “offering swift, coordinated and effective actions to afford protection and safety to the 1500 passengers and crew aboard our ship, MSC MELODY”,

In other news the trails of the first 9 suspected pirates captured by the EU NAVFOR warship RHEINLAND-PFALZ earlier this year commenced in Mombasa this week.

Spainish Maritime Partol Aircraft flying over the Frigate NUMANCIA

This week has seen significant activity both by the hijackers operating off the Somalia coast in the Indian Ocean and by Op Atalanta in combating their actions.

As a result of the good weather conditions and the deterrent effect of warships from EU NAVFOR, NATO and CTF 151 and other independent nations in the Gulf of Aden the hijackers have moved the attention into the Somali Basin. This has resulted in a number of hijackings both of merchant vessels and other smaller craft.

In an effort to locate these pirates in the vast area of the Indian Ocean EU NAVFOR has now begun regular surveillance sorties using Spanish and French Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

However, the pirates have not had it all their own way. As a result of FGS RHEINLAND-PFALZ’s action last week in the Gulf of Aden, when a number of misguided Somalis attempted to attack a German Military tanker, 7 suspects were handed over to the Kenyan police in Mombasa earlier this week for prosecution.

Also the Greek Atalanta Flagship which handed over command to the Spanish Frigate ESPS NUMANCIA last weekend in Djibouti also apprehended 5 suspects early last week after a Norwegian owner chemical tanker was attacked in the Gulf of Aden.

The captured pirate skiff

Events in the Gulf of Aden took an unexpected turn this weekend when the German Naval Tanker FGS SPESSART, that is currently attached to EU NAVFOR from NATO, was attacked 85 miles north of Bosasso yesterday afternoon.

The attacking skiff fled after the warship returned small arms fire and then gave chase with helicopter support from the nearby Dutch NATO warship HNLMS DE ZEVEN PROVINCIEN, the EU NAVFOR Spanish frigate SPS VICTORIA, and the CTF 151 American flagship USS BOXER.

Once the skiff was stopped, the Greek Op Atalanta Flagship PSARA was soon at the scene and detained the vessel until the 7 suspected pirates were taken into German custody onboard the frigate FGS RHEINLAND-PFALZ early this morning.

A decision regarding the venue of their trial will be taken later today.

FGS SPESSART refuelling at Sea

Two German ships from NATO have joined Op Atalanta in the Gulf of Aden this week; the frigate FGS EMDEN and the tanker FGS SPESSART. The vessels have been detached from NATO’s Standing Naval Maritime Group One (SNMG1) which is on deployment to the Far East and are expected to remain under EU NAVFOR’s command until the end of April.

This weekend another German warship, the FGS RHEINLAND-PFALZ will escort EU NAVFOR’s 19^th World Food Program shipment into Mogadishu. This will bring the total tonnage delivered to Somalia to over 120,000 – enough to feed over 2 million displaced people every day since Op Atalanta was established last December.

Last weekend the EU NAVFOR French ship FS FLOREAL was involved in recovering a large skiff that was stranded in the Gulf of Aden carrying approximately 100 refugees. The warship assisted those onboard with humanitarian aid and towed the vessel to the Port of Aden to be handed over to the Yemeni coastguard and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.

In a separate operation the French Warship FS GEORGES LEYGUES, which is temporarily attached to EU NAVFOR, rescued the crew from the 4,000 tonne MV Sibley 1 which caught fire and sank 350 miles off the coast of Tanzania on Saturday. The 31 man crew were then transferred to the FS JEANNE D’ ARC, which is also attached to EU NAVFOR and currently en route to Djibouti.

suspected pirate escorted from German frigate to Kenyan police

For the first time a vessel of the EU Naval Force Atalanta handed over arrested pirates to the Kenyan authorities for prosecution.

Nine suspected pirates were arrested by the crew of the German frigate FGS RHEINLAND-PFALZ one week ago on 03^rd March after their unsuccessful attack on the merchant vessel MV COURIER in the Gulf of Aden. They were handed over to Kenya after the frigate arrived in Mombasa port on 10^th March 2009. All previously confiscated material and equipment, including the skiff, was handed over as well.

This handover became possible after a corresponding agreement between the European Union and Kenya was signed in Nairobi just a few days ago.