Operation Atalanta: latest assessment (August)
(BRUSSELS2) Here is the latest assessment of the European anti-piracy operation EUNAVFOR Atalanta, as can be traced from the side of the operation's headquarters:
Escort component (PAM / Amisom)
- Out of the 47 WFP boats that supplied Somalia, EUNAVFOR escorted 40, representing 277.000 tonnes of food delivered to Somalia. NATO escorted 6 and 1 was unescorted.
- 6 supply boats for the United Nations Force in Somalia (AMISOM) were also escorted.
Merchant ship protection component.
In 2008: 111 incidents in 2008 and 42 successes for hackers, ie a "success" rate of 38% (more than one out of three).
In 2009 (January to August): 108 attacks, 28 successful, ie a "success" rate of 26% (one out of four).
Deterrence Component
- 68 pirates were arrested by EUNAVFOR and transferred to Kenya for trial. The balance sheet is actually higher. some hackers
having been returned to the national flag. See my balance sheet.
- currently there are 5 hijacked boats and 105 crew members held hostage
