After passing through the Suez Canal on 1 April, the multipurpose frigate HNLMS Van Amstel officially began its participation in EU Operation Atalanta.
The Van Amstel will contribute to the mission against pirates operating off the coast of East Africa up to the end of May 2012.Operation Atalanta is a European Union mission aimed at countering piracy along the Somali coast. The most important tasks related to the operation are the protection of vulnerable shipping in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean and the escort of ships sailing on behalf of the World Food Programme.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , April 13, 2012; Image: seaforces