Press Releases

At approximately 0730Z on 16 March, the Bulk Cargo Carrier MV SINAR KUDUS was pirated approximately 320 nautical miles North East of the island of Socotra in the Somali Basin. Within 24 hours of being taken, she was used to launch an unsuccessful attack on the MV EMPEROR.

On 5th March, an EU NAVFOR aircraft and the EU NAVFOR French warship FS NIVOSE disrupted a suspected pirate whaler off the Somali coast.  The whaler was suspected of leading a Pirate Action Group (PAG) at the time of the incident.

The MV EMS RIVER, which was pirated on 27 December 2010, was released from pirate control on 1 March 2011. The Antigua/Barbuda flagged and German owned vessel was on her way to San Nicolas, Greece from Jebel Ali in the UAE at the time of the attack.

The sixth of the Maestrale Class Frigate “ESPERO” has joined the EUNAVFOR. Commanded by Commander Vito Lacerenza, the ship and its crew are fully prepared and trained to take an active part within TF 465 and in all anti piracy operations.

EU NAVFOR welcomes the Spanish Patrol Vessel INFANTA ELENA On the 26 of February, Spanish Patrol Vessel P-76 INFANTA ELENA joined the EUNAVFOR Task Force 465.

Italian frigate ZEFFIRO leaves EU NAVFOR after two months of valuable contribution.

At approximately 0600Z on 28 February, the Bulk Cargo Carrier MV DOVER was pirated approximately 260 nautical miles North East of Salalah in the North Arabian Sea.

 Late on the evening of 23 February, EUNAVFOR warships in the Arabian Sea were alerted that an incident had occurred on board a German owned container vessel, 155 Nautical miles South East of the island of Socotra, resulting in burns to one of the crew.

On the 13 February, the Yemeni Fishing Vessel ALFARDOUS was believed to have been pirated close to Socotra Island in the Gulf of Aden.

 On Tuesday 15 February, EUNAVFOR Force Commander, Rear-Admiral Juan Rodriguez met Rear Admiral Zhang Huachen, Commander of Chinese Force deployed in Gulf of Aden (TF-529).

On the afternoon of 12 February, the MV SININ is believed to have been pirated approximately 350 nautical miles East of Masirah (Oman) in the North Arabian Sea.

On 10 February, the EUNAVFOR warship FNS POHJANMAA secured and assisted the fishing vessel GOLDEN WAVE after a request to assist from the South Korean government.  The vessel was attacked on 9 October 2010 and had been in the hands of pirates for 123 days.