The European Union's naval mission, Operation Atalanta, has reaffirmed its commitment to securing the release of four vessels and their 67 crew members currently held by pirates off the Somali coast.
The European force stated on Wednesday that it is actively coordinating with relevant authorities to expedite the liberation of three oil tankers and one commercial vessel. Operation Atalanta is maintaining vigilance over pirate movements and enhancing intelligence sharing regarding recent maritime incidents.
The affected vessels include the oil tankers "HONOUR 25," "EUREKA," and "ASANA," along with the commercial ship "SWARD." These vessels are reportedly anchored off the northern Somali coast within territorial waters, in close proximity to the shore and within a confined maritime zone.
Operation Atalanta is closely monitoring the situation, exerting pressure on active pirate groups in the region, and maintaining direct coordination with Somali security forces. The mission is also exchanging information on hijacking incidents and preserving communication channels with ship owners and flag states.
The initial hijacking occurred on April 21 when pirates seized the Palau-flagged oil tanker "HONOUR 25" off the northern Somali coast. Five days later, on April 26, the Saint Kitts and Nevis-flagged commercial vessel "SWARD" was hijacked in the same maritime area, raising concerns about a resurgence of pirate activity near the Horn of Africa.
On May 2, the Togo-flagged oil tanker "EUREKA" was hijacked off the port of Qana in Shabwah Governorate, southern Yemen, expanding the security risks to vessels near Yemeni waters. The most recent incident involved the Tanzania-flagged oil tanker "ASANA," which was hijacked on July 17 approximately 65 nautical miles southwest of Mukalla city in Hadhramaut Governorate.
The European naval force emphasized that supporting the release of hijacked vessels and protecting their crews is a priority. It reiterated its dedication to continued collaboration with Somali authorities and international partners to counter piracy and enhance maritime security.
