Carlskrona passes the torch of anti-piracy to De Grasse

(BRUSSELS2) The Swedish flagship, which for the past four months has commanded the EU's anti-piracy force, handed over the torch this weekend to the French frigate De Grasse, which takes over until December. The command will be provided by Rear-Admiral Coindreau assisted by the Belgian naval captain, Michel Hofman. (The French had promised the Belgians who wanted the command that they would have the position of deputy force commander).

By handing over the helm, the Swedish commander Jan Thörnqvist took stock of the situation: 250 suspected pirates apprehended (it should be noted that they were often released), 90.000 tonnes of humanitarian cargo from the World Food Program (WFP) delivered safely in Somalia, during 11 ship escorts. The sailors covered approximately 142 nautical miles from the southern Red Sea, through the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean to the Seychelles. From mid-April to mid-August, 000 warships from seven different countries and 18 maritime surveillance aircraft from six countries took turns.

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)