Press Releases

In the early morning of 8 April, the General Cargo ship MV SUSAN K was pirated approximately 200 nautical miles North-East of Salalah, Oman; a location only 35 nautical miles from the Omani coastline.

During the early morning of 6 April, the EU NAVFOR Finnish warship FNS POHJANMAA identified a suspected Pirate Action Group (PAG) consisting of a dhow and 2 attack skiffs approximately 250 NM South East of Salalah, Oman.

 On the afternoon of 3 April 2011, the EU NAVFOR Spanish warship ESPS INFANTA ELENA, identified and boarded a suspected pirate whaler 89 Nautical miles South-East of Mombasa.

11 suspected pirates detained by the EUNAVFOR Spanish warship, ESPS CANARIAS on 28 March 2011 were today transferred to Seychellois legal authorities for possible prosecution.

 On 28 March 2011, the EUNAVFOR Spanish warship ESPS CANARIAS disrupted a suspected Pirate Action Group (PAG), consisting of a whaler-style boat and a skiff, 260 Nautical Miles North-West of the Seychelles after a fishing vessel reported the PAGs presence to the warship

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.