Protecting potentially vulnerable vessels from piracy off the coast of Somalia is one of Operation Atalanta’s key tasks. The Spanish warship, ESPS Rayo, recently escorted two World Food Programme (WFP) chartered Dhows as she transited through the Gulf of Aden carrying precious food-aid.
Since Operation Atalanta began in 2008, EU NAVFOR has been routinely protecting WFP chartered vessels, either by traditional escort using warships or by the embarking of an Autonomous Vessel Protection Detachment (AVPD). These escorts and AVPDs have ensured that over 1.5 million metric tons of WFP food-aid has so far been delivered to Somalia.
As well as protecting WFP ships, Op Atalanta warships continue to patrol waters off the Somali coast to deter and disrupt piracy. Operation personnel also support sister EU missions in Somalia to achieve increased maritime security for the region.
Since Operation Atalanta began in 2008, EU NAVFOR has been routinely protecting WFP chartered vessels, either by traditional escort using warships or by the embarking of an Autonomous Vessel Protection Detachment (AVPD). These escorts and AVPDs have ensured that over 1.5 million metric tons of WFP food-aid has so far been delivered to Somalia.
As well as protecting WFP ships, Op Atalanta warships continue to patrol waters off the Somali coast to deter and disrupt piracy. Operation personnel also support sister EU missions in Somalia to achieve increased maritime security for the region.