EU NAVFOR has been bringing EU and regional partners together to focus on counter-piracy and maritime security as efforts continue to build on a more secure maritime environment.
From 17th to 19th May 2018, the flagship of EU NAVFOR’s Operation Atalanta, ITS Carlo Margottini, made a logistic and operational stop in the port of Mombasa, Kenya, after an intense period of counter-piracy patrolling along the coast of Somalia. She hosted a Maritime Security forum on board aimed at supporting and encouraging regional governments that has seen the recent establishment of the Kenya Coast Guard as a good example of the development of maritime capacity.
During the forum EU NAVFOR Force Commander, Rear Admiral Simone Malvagna, highlighted that: "more security and awareness of the maritime situation throughout the region is essential to overcome the barriers of illegality and being able to use the precious resources of the Blue Economy” he added that: “in November this year we will see an International Conference on the Blue Economy here in Kenya”.
EU Deputy Ambassador Mr. Bruno Pozzi of the EU Delegation in Kenya, the Italian Deputy Ambassador Dr. Angela Loi and members of Defence and Foreign Relations Committee of the Kenyan Parliament were received on board the Margottini. The results achieved so far by Operation Atalanta and the EU Critical Maritime Route Indian Ocean project (EU CRIMARIO) were illustrated.
The guests showed interest in the activities of the naval and air units of EU NAVFOR around the Horn of Africa and the Indian Ocean. They followed with interest a presentation on the recent developments of CRIMARIO’s project, aimed at strengthening maritime safety and security in the Indian Ocean region. The project supports coastal countries through a web-based information-sharing tool, the Indian Ocean Regional Information Sharing and Incident Management (IORIS-IM) network, which enables collaboration with regional partners and a resulting increase in maritime situational awareness.
During the port visit, ITS Margottini carried out humanitarian initiatives aimed to support the civilian population through donation of food and medicines to local health and welfare structures. The Margottini provided aid to the ‘Mahali Pa Usalama’ Rescue Centre, an infant rehabilitation centre for victims of sexual violence.
At the end of the visit, the Margottini set sail to continue her mission, with a focus on freedom of navigation to international merchant vessels, maritime security and the deterrence of piracy in the Indian Ocean region.
From 17th to 19th May 2018, the flagship of EU NAVFOR’s Operation Atalanta, ITS Carlo Margottini, made a logistic and operational stop in the port of Mombasa, Kenya, after an intense period of counter-piracy patrolling along the coast of Somalia. She hosted a Maritime Security forum on board aimed at supporting and encouraging regional governments that has seen the recent establishment of the Kenya Coast Guard as a good example of the development of maritime capacity.
During the forum EU NAVFOR Force Commander, Rear Admiral Simone Malvagna, highlighted that: "more security and awareness of the maritime situation throughout the region is essential to overcome the barriers of illegality and being able to use the precious resources of the Blue Economy” he added that: “in November this year we will see an International Conference on the Blue Economy here in Kenya”.
EU Deputy Ambassador Mr. Bruno Pozzi of the EU Delegation in Kenya, the Italian Deputy Ambassador Dr. Angela Loi and members of Defence and Foreign Relations Committee of the Kenyan Parliament were received on board the Margottini. The results achieved so far by Operation Atalanta and the EU Critical Maritime Route Indian Ocean project (EU CRIMARIO) were illustrated.
The guests showed interest in the activities of the naval and air units of EU NAVFOR around the Horn of Africa and the Indian Ocean. They followed with interest a presentation on the recent developments of CRIMARIO’s project, aimed at strengthening maritime safety and security in the Indian Ocean region. The project supports coastal countries through a web-based information-sharing tool, the Indian Ocean Regional Information Sharing and Incident Management (IORIS-IM) network, which enables collaboration with regional partners and a resulting increase in maritime situational awareness.
During the port visit, ITS Margottini carried out humanitarian initiatives aimed to support the civilian population through donation of food and medicines to local health and welfare structures. The Margottini provided aid to the ‘Mahali Pa Usalama’ Rescue Centre, an infant rehabilitation centre for victims of sexual violence.
At the end of the visit, the Margottini set sail to continue her mission, with a focus on freedom of navigation to international merchant vessels, maritime security and the deterrence of piracy in the Indian Ocean region.