08:44 GMT, June 30, 2009 The House today approved the proposal of the Dutch Government to participate in the EU maritime mission “Atalanta”. As of August the Netherlands will join the operation with the “Hr. Ms. Evertsen”. The mission aims at protecting food shipments from the World Food Program and the fight against piracy in Somalia.

The Dutch commander Peter Binds will take over the command of this operation as of August 13, 2009. With this renewed commitment, the Dutch government adds authority to the international approach against piracy in the waters of Somalia.


The Seven Provinces concludes mission

Yesterday, the “Hr. Ms. The Seven Provinces” concluded its contribution to the NATO mission “Allied Protector”. Since March 29 the ship had been part of a squadron in the Gulf of Aden and the east coast of Somalia, providing protection of merchant ships against piracy.

In recent months the navy ship escorted a number of merchant ships through the Gulf of Aden. On the second day of participation in Allied Protector, the ship faced pirates, when a German naval vessel was attacked. The frigate assisted in the arrest of the assailants. Later in April, a ship hijacked by Yemeni pirates was freed by The Seven Provinces.

Last week, the frigate offered assistance after pirates released the MV Marathon. This ship, sailing for a Dutch company, was hijacked early May in the Gulf of Aden and had since been held hostage off the coast of Somalia. The Seven Provinces escorted the Marathon to the port of Djibouti and offered assistance to the crew.

The Seven Provinces is expected back in her hometown Den Helder on July 17. The Evertsen will leave on August 2 from Den Helder to the East African coastal waters.


(The original press release of the Dutch Ministry of Defence has been translated by defpro.com)


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