Last week, the EU NAVFOR warships SPS INFANTA CRISTINA and BNS LOUISE MARIE successfully completed the escort of the merchant vessel PETRA 1, chartered by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
In the early hours of 18 November, the MV PETRA 1 safely arrived in Mogadishu (Somalia), escorted by the EU NAVFOR Spanish warship SPS INFANTA CRISTINA, which had come from Mombasa (Kenya), after a four day transit.
Once it was clear the area was safe, the SPS INFANTA CRISTINA handed over the responsibility of the escort to AMISOM Security Boats.
The EU NAVFOR Belgium warship BNS LOUISE MARIE then took over the return voyage escort, from Mogadishu back to Mombasa.
Earlier in the month on 6 November, SPS INFANTA CRISTINA was attacked by the pirated merchant vessel MV IZUMI, while escorting the same AMISOM chartered vessel. The attack was however quickly disrupted by the warship and the pirates fled the scene without causing either damage or injury.
Since the beginning of the EU NAVFOR Operation, 73 logistics vessels chartered by the AMISOM have been escorted by EU NAVFOR warships, to support the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia. The European Union Member States support the AMISOM in order to improve, in particular, the efficiency of the Somali Police Force and to combat any abuse and serious violations of Human Rights.
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). EU NAVFOR also protects vulnerable vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, deters and disrupts piracy. In addition, EU NAVFOR monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.
In the early hours of 18 November, the MV PETRA 1 safely arrived in Mogadishu (Somalia), escorted by the EU NAVFOR Spanish warship SPS INFANTA CRISTINA, which had come from Mombasa (Kenya), after a four day transit.
Once it was clear the area was safe, the SPS INFANTA CRISTINA handed over the responsibility of the escort to AMISOM Security Boats.
The EU NAVFOR Belgium warship BNS LOUISE MARIE then took over the return voyage escort, from Mogadishu back to Mombasa.
Earlier in the month on 6 November, SPS INFANTA CRISTINA was attacked by the pirated merchant vessel MV IZUMI, while escorting the same AMISOM chartered vessel. The attack was however quickly disrupted by the warship and the pirates fled the scene without causing either damage or injury.
Since the beginning of the EU NAVFOR Operation, 73 logistics vessels chartered by the AMISOM have been escorted by EU NAVFOR warships, to support the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia. The European Union Member States support the AMISOM in order to improve, in particular, the efficiency of the Somali Police Force and to combat any abuse and serious violations of Human Rights.
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). EU NAVFOR also protects vulnerable vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, deters and disrupts piracy. In addition, EU NAVFOR monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.