ITS Grecale after a patrol task against piracy activity of two weeks was the first Italian ship to dock at Port of Duqm as part of the close maritime cooperation between the two countries.

ITS Grecale, in the area with the European Maritime Force, reached Duqm port on May 23 and left harbour on May 25.

Italy and Oman enjoy a long lasting cooperation in the field of maritime activities and as an example of it, the ship recently visited Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat for a seven days call.

During his stay in Duqm the Ship´s Captain, Commander Marco Frumusa, received on board the Chairman of Duqm free zone, H.E. Yahya bin Said Al Jabri  and the Ambassador of Italy, H.E. Paola Amadei accompanied by the Defence Attaché Captain (Navy) Stefano Crementieri.  The meeting discussed topics of interest in commercial field for the developing of Duqm economic zone, in addition to a numbers of matters to improve bilateral relations.

H.E. Yahya bin Said Al JABRI expressed his appreciation for the visit in DUQM of an Operation ATALANTA’s unit, as the new port is also foreseen, in its development plan, to became a preferential site for EU military units transiting in the area.

EUROMARFOR warship Grecale will continue to patrol the area of the Gulf of Aden during the next days, trying to deter and disrupt any possible piracy activity in the area, permitting the commercial shipping navigate with the security that no piracy attack will happen.