The frigate ‘Numancia’, the flagship of Operation Atalanta, responds to a maritime security incident in the Gulf of Aden

• Upon receiving the notice, the Spanish vessel headed for the area to assess the situation, gather information and evaluate the incident.

The frigate “Numancia” – the flagship of the European Union’s Operation Atalanta – received a warning of a possible pirate attack on the merchant vessel MV ‘Glamor’ when it was sailing north of the Recommended International Transit Corridor in the Gulf of Aden.

Following this report, the frigate’s crew headed for the area to assess the situation, gather information and evaluate the incident. Hours later, it was confirmed that the suspected attackers had left the scene and that all crew members were safe, enabling the merchant vessel to continue its voyage along its planned route.

The personnel involved in Operation ‘Atalanta’ enquired about the condition of the crew of the ‘Glamor’. The captain of the merchant ship explained that the officer on watch had spotted a skiff approaching at high speed and had alerted him immediately. In response to this situation, the crew gathered in the engine room – the ship’s only safe compartment – as a precautionary measure. 

Operación EUNAVFOR ‘Atalanta’

Operation ‘Atalanta’ has reaffirmed its role as a key player in maritime security in the western Indian Ocean since 2008. Furthermore, the exchange of information on the course of the incident and the measures taken by the crew helps to improve understanding of the maritime situation in the area and to strengthen prevention against possible further incidents of piracy.

Since its inception in 2008, Spain has been involved in ‘Atalanta’, and today it is the only European Union nation to have maintained an uninterrupted presence in the operation. With each rotation, our country reaffirms its commitment to regional stability and the security of international shipping lanes in the face of the threat of piracy and other criminal acts, whilst also contributing to the protection of vessels belonging to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

At the end of 2024, the Council of the EU approved the extension of the operation’s mandate until 28 February 2027, reflecting the achievements made and the challenges ahead. Throughout this period, the area of operations has been expanded under successive mandates and currently encompasses the Gulf of Aden and neighbouring countries, including the port and city of Muscat (Oman), the Somali Basin, the Red Sea and the Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba.

At present, in addition to the frigate ‘Numancia’ — the flagship of the operation’s naval force — and the ‘Orión’ detachment of the Air and Space Force, Spain hosts the mission’s Operational Headquarters in Rota.