Henning Amundsen News

On Sunday, November 10, 2013, NATO’s counter-piracy Operation Ocean Shield warship HDMS Esbern Snare boarded two small craft and detained nine suspected pirates, following an attack in the area the previous day. On Saturday, the Danish flagged vessel Torm Kansas reported she was attacked unsuccessfully by pirates in the Indian Ocean, but the ship’s armed security team repelled the attack. Esbern Snare, the closest NATO unit to the failed attack, was directed to the scene by the Commander of the Ocean Shield Task Force (CTF-508), Commodore Henning Amundsen.

The Dutch Frigate 'HNLMS Van Speijk', part of NATO’s counter-piracy Operation Ocean Shield, ensured the safe passage of the 'Maersk McKinney Moller' on maiden transit through the Gulf of Aden. The 400-metre long, 165,000 ton commercial ship is on its maiden voyage from Asia to Europe. NATO's counter-piracy efforts, in conjunction with other maritime forces operating in the region, help ensure the free flow of commercial trade through the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. The Van Speijk, is one of three ships currently part of the Alliance’s counter-piracy mission.