The frigate F-86 'Canarias' monitors a vessel hijacked by pirates in the Indian Ocean

• Navy frigate tracks hijacked vessel 'MV Abdullah' with 23 crew members on board

The Bangladeshi-flagged ‘MV Abdullah’, with a crew of 23, was hijacked by pirates on Tuesday 12 March while crossing the Indian Ocean en route from Mozambique to the United Arab Emirates. The ship's captain managed to raise the alarm and alert the authorities responsible for controlling ship movements in the region.

The hijacked vessel is a cargo-type bulk carrier, with a capacity of about 58,000 tonnes, which was transporting thermal coal from Mozambique to the city of Dubai.

The frigate 'Canarias' is deployed in the European Union’s Operation 'Atalanta'. Its mission is to contribute to improving maritime security in the Indian Ocean and to prevent acts of piracy of this type off the Horn of Africa. It was alerted to monitor the hijacked ship in the waters east of Somalia.

Since then, the Spanish frigate has been tracking and monitoring the hijacked merchant vessel as it heads towards the Somali coast, where another ship, the MV 'Ruen', has been hijacked since December.

Spain's participation in Operation ‘Atalanta’ is part of its firm commitment to the European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy. In this way, the European Union is providing a comprehensive response to the phenomenon of piracy, while contributing to international stability and security.

This is the fifth time that the frigate 'Canarias' has taken part in operation 'Atalanta'. It will remain part of EUNAVFOR until next June. In 2009, the 'Canarias' participated in the rescue of the Basque tuna boat 'Alakrana' also within the framework of Operation 'Atalanta'.

The 'Canarias' crew comprises over two hundred men and women. Additionally, a Marine Infantry unit supports the ship in security tasks during deployment. As air assets, the frigate is equipped with a helicopter from the fifth aircraft squadron, a drone belonging to the eleventh squadron, and a reinforcement of medical personnel to handle medical emergencies on board.

The frigate 'Canarias' belongs to the 41st Escort Squadron. It is the most modern of the six Santa María class frigates. These frigates are based in Rota (Cádiz) and, despite their age, maintain full Operational capability and a constant presence in the Operation ‘Atalanta’.