The merchant vessels Dream-H (left) and Rozen (near right), sailing for UN World Food Programme with humanitarian aid to internally displaced persons in Somalia, was escorted by EU NAVFOR flag ship HSwMS Carlskrona

The merchant vessels Rozen and Dream-H, sailing for UN World Food Programme with humanitarian aid to displaced persons in Somalia, are now safely delivered to Mogadishu after being escorted by EU NAVFOR Swedish flag ship HSwMS Carlskrona.

The flag ship of EU NAVFOR is not only carrying the Force Headquarters, she is also an Ocean Patrol Vessel with a helicopter and a boarding team in addition to own armament. During her first month in the Operation Atalanta she has solved all the different tasks that are normally performed by the units in the force; escorts, patrolling the internationally recommended transit corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden, carrying out surveillance outside the Somali coast and boarding suspected vessels. Last week, she escorted ships for World Food Programme (WFP) and AMISOM, the tasks that are the number one and two on the priority list for EU NAVFOR.

Her latest escort protecting MV Rozen and MV Dream-H loaded with WFP humanitarian aid was a golden opportunity for the Carlskrona boarding team to practice boarding and searching the vessels. This was performed in cooperation with the captains of the merchant vessels.

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 Unions 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.

The ship was approached by a pirate skiff firing automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenades and the crew reported that they saw the pirates climbing onboard.

The ship has a crew of 22 (19 Indian, 1 Ukranian, 2 Bangladeshi) and it is believed that all are well. A passing merchant ship tried to make contact by VHF radio  but received a response from the bridge of the hijacked vessel to “go away”. EU NAVFOR will continue to monitor the situation.

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 alsomonitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.

Force Commander EU NAVFOR Jan Thörnqvist and Director General Kenyan Maritime Authorities Nancy Karigithu, exchanged gifts after lunch

Rear Admiral Jan Thörnqvist, Force Commander for EU NAVFOR, held a lunch for representatives from the Kenyan Navy, Kenyan Maritime Authorities (KMA), World Food Programme (WFP) and The United Nations Support Office for AMISOM (UNSOA) onboard the Flagship Carlskrona on the 5 may.

After the lunch both KMA and Kenyan Navy were given an introduction to Mercury – an Internet-based system that allows communication between the naval forces and the merchant shipping in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean.

Adm  Thörnqvist Stated that “I would like to express my appreciation for the vital support that Kenya is providing to EU NAVFOR”, He also praised the good cooperation with World Food Programme and United Nations.

The Force Commander also suggested continued interaction and cooperation and to start that, he invited Kenyan Navy to conduct a PASSEX (a combined exercise on basic seamanship skills) when an opportunity next arose.

The delegation from Kenyan Navy was lead by Captain Kambuni while KMA participated with its Director General Nancy Karigithu. Operations Officer Ifigenia Metaxa came from WFP and Peter McGhioe from UNSOA. 

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 ofSomalia.

Johan De Witt in the background, Mustafa H in the middle and two Landing craft vehicle personnel in front

This morning 29 of April, the Vessel Protection Detachment (VPD) from Malta was used for the first time in support of EU NAVFOR’s primary mandate.

They embarked on the World food programme (WFP) ship MUSTAFA-H and will provide protection during her transit from Boosaaso to Berbera in northern Somalia.

The 12-man VPD team is normally embarked onboard EU NAVFOR Dutch warship Johan de Witt during its four months anti piracy mission. This task shows the flexibility of the team and the invaluable contribution that Malta is providing to the EU NAVFOR anti piracy operation.

This is Malta`s first military deployment into the operational theatre under the EU Common Security Defence Policy (CSDP). The Maltese detachment has been sourced from C Special Duties Company of the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) and is a valuable force multiplier in the area of operations.

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.

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ESPS Navarra escorting WFP dhow

From 26th of February to 1st of March, EU NAVFOR Warship ESPS NAVARRA successfully completed the escort on WFP Chartered vessel FAIZE SULTANE KWHAJA from Salalah Port (Oman) to Boosaaso, in the northern Somali coast.

The dhow-type vessel chartered by the World Food Program Office in NAIROBI (Kenya) carried 35 tons of humanitarian aid in support of UN famine relief of Somali displaced persons. This is the first time the Indian flagged dhow is escorted by a EU NAVFOR Warship. FAIZE SULTANE KWHAJA is a 558 gross tonnage dhow, a type of cargo vessel which is very common to come across in these waters. The 35 tons of humanitarian aid that safely got to destination was mainly promalein oil enriched in vitamins A and D, a Canadian contribution to the UN World Food Program project in Somalia.

Both ships sailed together across the Gulf of Aden, transiting some areas where the merchant vessel community experienced many attacks from Somali pirates. ESPS NAVARRA maintained a sharp look out at close distance that allowed her to manoeuvre rapidly to protect the vessel, the cargo and the crew. After three days of escort, the WFP vessel reached his destination and entered safely the port of Boosaaso.

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.

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VPD on watch on MV Masar Trade

On the 28th of January, the World Food Programme (WFP) Motor Vessel M/V MASAR TRADE started her transit north from Mogadishu to Berbera, a port in northern Somalia, in order to deliver goods and humanitarian aid.

At the beginning of her transit, she was escorted by the EUNAVFOR Greek warship HS SALAMIS. On 6th of February, the EU NAVFOR German warship FGS EMDEN took over this responsibility, in proximity of Socotra Island, and escorted the M/V to the northern Somali port of Berbera. On completion of cargo unloading, the vessel was escorted back to southern Somalia by EMDEN.

During both escorts, EUNAVFOR Warship FGS EMDEN transferred a Vessel Protection Detachment (VPD) to the M/V MASAR TRADE. VPDs provide extra protection to these slow vulnerable ships whilst sailing the pirate infested waters off Somalia.

Under protection of the Naval Forces there were no incidents during both transits along the coast.The master of M/V MASAR TRADE was grateful for the assistance provided by EUNAVFOR and stated that “It is the first time that I have felt safe while sailing in Somali waters”.

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.

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ITS ETNA and MV ALPHA KIRAWIRA

On the afternoon 11th February, EU NAVFOR Warship ITS ETNA successfully completed her first escort in ATALANTA Operation.

The AMISOM chartered vessel, M/V ALPHA KIRAWIRA, was escorted from Mombassa to Mogadishu for four days, guaranteeing the safe arrival of humanitarian aids to Somalia and material for AMISOM troops based in Mogadishu.

EU NAVFOR Warship ITS ETNA will wait in waters off Mogadishu for the unloading of M/V ALPHA KIRAWIRA, expected on the morning 12th February, and will provide further protection to the merchant vessel on the way back to Mombassa.

EU NAVFOR 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.

Win Far 161

M/V WIN FAR 161 that has been anchored off the Somali coast in the vicinity of Harardheere for almost 10 months has finally been released. The pirates vacated the vessel on the evening of 11 Feb and the master has taken command once more.

The Taiwanese fishing vessel WIN FAR 161 was hijacked on 6th April 2009 from the Somali Basin, approximately 160Nm north of the Seychelles. The vessel had been operating outside the EU NAVFOR Area of Operation (AOR) and as such its movements were not registered with the MSCHOA. It is understood from the owner that all 28 crew members are well and were released with food, fuel and water.  The ship is now heading out to sea and is being monitored by EU NAVFOR.

EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s 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.

FS Surcouf escorts MV SEA DIAMOND

On the 4th of February EU NAVFOR Warship FS SURCOUF arrived from Mombasa in front of Mogadishu with Two World Food Program vessels M/V ABDUL RAHMAN and M/V SEA DIAMOND.

On their arrival, they dropped their anchor in vicinity of the port and EU NAVFOR Warship FS SURCOUF assured protection of the vessels until the arrival of an AMISOM security team that took over the responsibility of the merchant vessels after which the SURCOUF headed to Mombassa, her next port of call.

EU NAVFOR 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.

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FCDR RAdm GUMIERO and Chief of Defense Brigadier PAYET

On 29th of January, after three weeks of patrolling in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin, EU NAVFOR Flagship ITS ETNA called in at Port VICTORIA, Republic of Seychelles for a four day visit.

EU NAVFOR Commander RAdm Giovanni GUMIERO met several Civilian and Military Authorities, including Vice President BELMONT and Minister MORGAN who expressed their gratitude to EU NAVFOR for their continuing support to the Seychelles in the anti piracy mission.

Seychelles is playing a fundamental role in fighting piracy following a written agreement between EU and the Republic of SEYCHELLES on 30th of October which allows apprehended alleged pirates and armed robbers to be transferred from EU NAVFOR Units to the Island for prosecution.

Piracy contributes to destabilisation in the Region especially for a Nation such as Seychelles. It deters national fishing fleets from operating in the Seychelles’ Exclusive Economic Zone and a considerable number of cruise and merchant ships divert to other ports. This creates an impact on tourism and does have a limiting factor on the economic growth of the Nation. The Political and Military Authorities and RAdm GUMIERO agreed to enhance the already close cooperation between the Seychellois Coast Guard, Seychelles Defence Forces and EU NAVFOR. Maritime Patrol Aircraft from EU NAVFOR are provided with basing facilities in the Seychelles and have already conducted joint operations against piracy.

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.

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