The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA) has been actively monitoring a Chinese fishing vessel that was allegedly hijacked off the coast of Puntland, Somalia, following an alert from the Puntland Maritime Police Force. The fishing vessel has reportedly remained in Somali territorial waters since the incident occurred.
According to EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, the vessel is under the control of suspected pirates, some of whom are armed with AK-47s and machine guns. The crew on board the fishing vessel consists of up to 18 people, though no injuries have been reported. The event is currently being investigated, and it has been classified as “Armed Robbery at Sea.”
EUNAVFOR ATALANTA has been in constant communication with both Somali and Chinese authorities, as well as the Delegation of the European Union to Somalia. The operation continues to monitor the situation closely, ensuring maritime security in the region.
The EU NAVFOR Operation also urges merchant vessels and other vulnerable ships to register with the Maritime Security Coordinating Committee’s Voluntary Registration Scheme (VRS), to facilitate enhanced security measures against piracy and other maritime threats.
Somali ConnectÂ
News Desk – SomaliaÂ
