Multipurpose frigate HNLMS Van Speijk left the port of Den Helder for Somalia. The ship will be taking part in the Ocean Shield counterpiracy mission.The Van Speijk has 168 military personnel on board, including a heavily armed specialist team of marines. These marines have been trained for boarding
The revelation this week that the owner of an Algerian cargo ship whose crew was held by Somali pirates paid them $2.6 million in ransom is yet another indication that the rewards these denizens reap for their illegal, life-threatening work remain a serious stumbling block to ending maritime organiz
During their final patrol with the EU’s counter piracy mission – Operation Atalanta, the French Landing Helicopter Dock, FS Tonnerre and Destroyer FS Georges Leygues, rendezvoused at sea with the EU NAVFOR flagship, Portuguese Frigate Alvares Cabral. On completion of what have been successful counte
The Operation Commander of the EU Naval Force, Rear Admiral Bob Tarrant, has issued a renewed warning that Somali pirates are still determined to get out to sea and, if presented with an easy target, will attack. “I am very concerned that seafarers and nations will lower their guard and support for
On 10 May, French EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) ship FS Nivôse completed a nine day escort of a World Food Programme (WFP) chartered vessel. The WFP ship was escorted from Djibouti to the port of Mombasa in Kenya. During the escort, members of the French Navy crew remained on constant look-out, with th
Russian Navy to Receive Newest Baltic Fleet Warship Russia’s newest Baltic Fleet warship, the Project 20380 Boiky corvette, will be handed over to the Navy on May 16, St. Petersburg’s Severnaya Verf shipyard said on Monday. The Boiky has completed sea trials and undergone a series of final tests at
Royal Navy warship HMS Argyll has paid a visit to Walvis Bay, Namibia, to enhance relations with the Namibian Navy and support British business interests. HMS Argyll’s port stop was the first to the country by a Royal Navy ship for eight years, the last being HMS Edinburgh, and it proved to be a rea
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Receives Battenberg Cup The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (IKE) received the Battenberg Cup in recognition of outstanding achievements over the course of 2012. The Battenberg Cup is awarded annually to the best all-around ship or submarine in the Atlanti
The flagship of the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR), NRP Alvares Cabral has conducted a fast-rope insertion exercise on a World Food Programme (WFP) vessel, providing the opportunity for Portuguese sailors to meet their Finnish colleagues embarked on the WFP ship as an Autonomous Vessel Protection Detach
Protecting World Food Programme (WFP) shipments to Somalia is a core task for EU Naval Force Somalia; ensuring the safe transportation of humanitarian aid to the Somali people. In 2013, WFP aims to bring humanitarian assistance to an estimated population of 1.56 million in Somalia. Since the beginni
Guided-missile cruiser USS Hue City (CG 66) arrived in Manama, Bahrain, April 23. Hue City had been underway for 43 consecutive days prior to pulling into Bahrain. “We are at the point in deployment where things have become mundane,” said Hue City’s Command Master Chief Raymond Charest. “This will b
On 24 April the Force Commander of the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta, Commodore Jorge Novo Palma, visited ESPS Rayo. It was the first time to personally meet Rayo’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Commander Rafael Hernandez Rodriguez, and his crew. During the short visit Rayo’
Training support to help boost the Horn of Africa regional states’ maritime security and counter piracy capabilities is very much part of the European Union’s counter piracy mission – Operation Atalanta. In this context and in co‑operation with the recently launched civilian led mission, EUCAP NESTO
Participation in the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Operation Atalanta, off the coast of Somalia, is not without risk. When operating far away from hospitals and other necessary resources, the ships in the operation need to rely on the medical competence at sea. The Swedish warship HSwMS Carlskrona has
