During a port visit to Muscat, the European Union Flagship in the Operation Atalanta, Spanish Warship “Galicia”, strengthened the good relationship with the Royal Omani Navy.

The Spanish Warship arrived the 12th August to the port of Muscat and during her period in Oman, the Force Commander and the Galicia’s Commanding officer received on board the Spanish Ambassador to Oman, His Excellency Mr Juan José Urtasum.

On the 13th August all the three had a Courtesy Call with the Deputy Governor of Muscat, Mr. Saud Bin Hilal Albusadi. Later, on the 17th August, they conclude the Courtesy Call with the visit to the Acting Commander of the Royal Omani Navy, Commodore Yaqoub Al Kamashki.

During the visit to the Acting Commander of the Royal Omani Navy, they could share some talks about the current piracy situation on the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden and about the maritime security situation in general. 

“You all have done a really good work by reducing to the lowest level the piracy activity during all these years. Currently, our main goal is to keep and provide a secure and stable maritime environment inside our territorial waters”, stated Commodore Al Kamashki.

The Force Commander and the “Galicia’s” Commanding officer thanked Commodore Al Kamashki for the support provided by the Royal Omani Navy during the port visit of the flagship and of all the European Union Naval Force units since the beginning of the Operation Atalanta.

During the monsoon periods, one of the patrol areas for some of the units of the operation Atalanta is the Gulf of Aden. The main ports visits for the European warships in these areas are the ports of Salalah and Muscat in the Sultanate of Oman. Port visits such as this are an opportunity for the ship to re-supply stores and food.

Afterwards, on the 20th August the Spanish Warship Galicia and the Royal Omany Navy patrol ship “Al Najah” executed an escort, flag hoist and flashing lights exercises during the way out of the Muscat port.

Exercises such as this one reinforce the mutual training between the European Navies and the Royal Navy of Oman and permit to develop and strengthen a mutual understanding for the future interactions.

ESPS “Galicia” is currently deployed as the flagship of the European Naval Force off the coast of Somalia and is tasked to protect any vulnerable shipping and all the World Food program vessels, as well as to deter piracy off the coast of Somalia.