An international naval force under the EU’s Operation Atalanta freed Friday the Maltese-flagged tanker Hellas Aphrodite, which the day before was hijacked by pirates in the Indian Ocean about 700 nautical miles from Mogadishu.
The ship’s 24 crew members sought refuge in the ship’s citadel during the attack and are all safe and sound. No casualties have been reported.
The operation was carried out by the Spanish flagship ESPS Victoria, supported by helicopter, drones, maritime patrol aircraft and special forces. The pirates left the ship after a swift and targeted effort from the Atalanta force, according to the statement from EU NAVFOR.
According to EU NAVFOR, evidence is now being collected for the prosecution of the suspected perpetrators, while the hunt for the pirates’ mothership continues in the area.
The operation was conducted in close cooperation with regional and international partners, including the authorities in Puntland, Combined Maritime Forces, Japan, the Seychelles and Spain.
Operation Atalanta continues to urge merchant ships in the region to register in the voluntary reporting scheme (VRS) through the Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean, so they can quickly receive assistance in case of pirate threats.
-emte
