As part of Operation Atalanta, the frigate F-81 Santa María conducts anti-piracy patrols in the Indian Ocean

•  Over the past few weeks, the Spanish ship has been monitoring a Chinese ship that had been hijacked until its release

During its deployment as part of Operation Atalanta, the frigate Santa María has conducted anti-piracy patrols in the Indian Ocean, near the Seychelles, Madagascar and the Mozambique Channel.

Among its main activities, the Santa María has monitored the hijacking of a Chinese fishing vessel, which fell into the hands of Somali armed pirates at the beginning of December and was released on 13 January. During this time, the Spanish frigate was in permanent contact with the competent authorities of Somalia and China in order to coordinate actions and provide effective responses to this naval crime.

This collaboration reaffirms the mission's sustained commitment to maritime security in the region. The Atalanta mission aims at ensuring the protection of trade routes and the safety of the crews of vessels operating and transiting through its area of responsibility.

In addition, during its deployment, the frigate interacts with World Food Programme vessels, Spanish fishing vessels and the general merchant community operating in the Basilisk and Abdoulah area, where the most recent pirate attacks were concentrated last year.

These attacks demonstrate that piracy is contained, though not eradicated, thanks in part to the presence and activity of this mission. The security of international maritime traffic on one of the world's most important trade routes is thus preserved.

During its deployment, Santa Maria has also conducted joint exercises with navies and regional maritime security centres. The most recent exercise was conducted with officers from the Kenyan Coast Guard and Kenyan Navy and involved bunkering in the port of Mombasa.

Finally, the Spanish frigate had the chance to call at Port Victoria (Seychelles) and Antisiranana (Madagascar), where it visited and established closer links with the Spanish fishing vessels that have their logistical base there. 

Since its incorporation in 2024, the Santa María has been the flagship of the European Union Naval Force in the EUNAVFOR Atalanta operation. This is a stability projection mission aimed at contributing to the eradication of piracy and illicit trafficking in the waters of the Gulf of Aden.

Operation Atalanta

Operation Atalanta was the result of a series of UN resolutions adopted following an increase in piracy in the Indian Ocean from 2005. With the support of Spain, it became the first EU naval operation conducted under the Common Security and Defence Policy.

At the end of 2024, the EU Council approved the extension of the operation's mandate until February 2027, reflecting both the achievements made and the challenges for the future. Throughout this time, the area of operations has been enlarged in successive mandates and now encompasses the Gulf of Aden and neighbouring countries, including the port and city of Muscat (Oman), the Somali Basin, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba.

Currently, under the operational control of the Operations Command, Spain is contributing to Operation Atalanta with around 350 military personnel, as well as the following assets and units:

• The Operation Headquarters, OHQ, at the Rota naval base.
• One frigate/ warship.
• An embarked helicopter.
• An embarked special operations team.
• One maritime reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft (DAT ‘Orion’) in Djibouti.

Liaison offices located in Mogadishu (Somalia), Manama (Bahrain), Brussels (Belgium) and Port Victoria (Seychelles).

Operation Logistics Support Unit deployed in Djibouti (Djibouti). 

Spain has been the only EU country to have participated continuously in Operation Atalanta since its launch 16 years ago. This demonstrates our commitment to security in the region.