Frigate ‘Santa María’, the first Spanish vessel to visit the port of Duqm in Oman

 ·       The Port Authority has presented a conmemorative gift to the ship Commander

Frigate ‘Santa María’ has docked at Duqm port, in Oman, on June 25th, after its third patrol within UE’s Operation ‘Atalanta’. This is the first time ever that a Spanish warship enters this port, so the Port Authority has presented a gift to the ship Commander.

Duqm, is located southeast of the omaní coast; it is a growing port which has several Spanish companies working in certain infrastructures projects, as Tecnicas Reunidas, which takes part in the construction of the biggest oil refinery in the area.

The port is also a suitable place to dock, so crews can have some days off within a COVID prevention environment.

Other navy’s vessels, such as the British Royal Navy, the US Navy or the Indian Navy, regularly dock at Duqm Port.

OPERACIÓN ‘ATALANTA’

Spanish Armed Forces’ involvement in the Operation Atalanta is part of the commitment undertaken by Spain, under the EU flag, in its effort to maintain security in the Gulf of Aden and Somalia waters, by protecting the World Food Programme protecting the ships of the World Food Programme, the ships of the UN misión for Somalia (AMISOM) and maintaining the security of vulnerable maritime traffic.

The European Union's Atalanta operation has its multinational headquarters at Rota Naval Base. More than 8,000 Spanish military personnel have served in this operation since it  started, more than 11 years ago, showing the Spanish commitment to the European Union and the maritime security in the current conflict scenarios.