German Navy tanker to return from counter piracy mission

German Navy tanker Spessart (A1442) is scheduled to return to Navy Base Kiel on August 26 after spending 88 days deployed to the EU-led counter-piracy operation Atalanta off the Horn of Africa.

Once it enters the port, the tanker will have sailed a total of 24.830 nautical miles, equivalent to a sail around the world.

Commanded by Captain Rolf-Heinrich von Bebern, Spessart carried out 21 replenishment at sea operations supplying other operation Atalanta ships with fuel and water.

Spessart can also resupply ships with aviation fuel, lubricants and food.

The operation Atalanta was launched in December 2008 to contribute to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast.

The operation also protects vessels of the World Food Programme and other vulnerable shipping, monitors fishing activities off the coast of Somalia and supports other EU and international missions in the region such as the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).