Operation Atalanta - Overview

Overview

Operation Atalanta is the first operation to be undertaken by the European Union Naval Force.

Under UNSC mandate, EU NAVFOR - Operation Atalanta conducts:

• The protection of vessels of the World Food Programme (WFP) delivering food aid to displaced persons in Somalia; the protection of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) shipping;
• The deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast;
• The protection of vulnerable shipping off the Somali coast on a case by case basis;
• In addition, contribute to the monitoring of fishing activities off the coast of Somalia.

Operation Atalanta is linked to the Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa (MSC-HOA), an initiative established by the European Union Naval Force, with close co-operation from industry, in response to threats to shipping in waters off the Gulf of Aden and the Horn of Africa. The MSC-HOA centre provides 24 hour manned monitoring of vessels transiting through the Gulf of Aden, whilst the provision of an interactive website enables the Centre to communicate the latest anti-piracy guidance to industry and for Shipping Companies and operators to register their movements through the region.

This military operation was launched, in accordance with the EU Council Joint Action 2008/851 and EU Council Decision 2008/918, on 8 December 2008. The operation was in support of Resolutions 1814, 1816 and 1838 which were adopted in 2008 by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). To follow were a number of other Resolutions with the most recent being Resolution 1976, adopted by the UNSC on 11 April 2011.

Operation Atalanta was scheduled to last for an initial period of twelve months (until 13 December 2009) and was subsequently extended by the Council of the EU until December 2012. In March 2012, it was announced that the Operation Atalanta initiative would be extended until December 2014.

As of January 2011 twenty-three EU and four other countries have participated in Operation Atalanta. Around 2 000 military personnel are involved in the operation, with the size of the force typically varying between 4-7 surface vessels and 2-3 Maritime Patrol Aircraft. The funding for Operation Atalanta amounted to €8.4 million for 2010 and €8.05 million for 2011. The agreed budget for 2012 is up to €8.3 million. A budget of €14.9 million is provided for the common costs of the prolonged mandate until December 2014.

The Operational headquarters is located at Northwood Headquarters in the UK.