Nato’s Ocean Shield counter-piracy mission extended until 2016

Nato Defence Ministers have reached a decision to extend the counter-piracy operation, Ocean Shield, until the end of 2016.

The extension will bring together other forces, including US and EU naval forces, to work closely in the Indian Ocean.

Nato vessels have been patrolling off the Horn of Africa since 2009 and were successful in significantly reducing maritime pirate activity and help build the capacity of regional navies.

As part of the Ocean Shield, Nato recorded 129 pirate attacks off Somalia in 2011 that further reduced to 20 in 2012.

Since May 2012, Somali pirates have not held any ship or a merchant vessel.

Nato noted that despite the achievements, piracy continues to be a threat as pirates continue to have the objective and capacity to attack ships.

Ocean Shield also assists in defending one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, with 90% of all global trade being carried by sea, about half of that passes in the course of the Indian Ocean.

According to an estimate from the World Bank last year, piracy costs the world economy $18bn every year, while Nato counter-piracy attempts have assisted in bringing down that cost.

Nato’s fleet includes vessels from Spain, Italy and Turkey which operates from the Arabian Gulf to the north, the Seychelles in the south, the Gulf of Aden to the west and the Maldives in the east, spanning two million square miles area.

Image: Nato vessel during operations. Photo: Courtesy of Nato.