Click here - to select or create a menu

Naval News

DEFEA 2021
  • News
  • Event News
    • Euronaval 2020
    • SNA 2020
    • MADEX 2019
    • PACIFIC 2019
  • Interviews
  • Videos
  • Advertising
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Home» News»Italian Navy foils two pirate attacks in Gulf of Guinea
Italian Navy picture

Italian Navy foils two pirate attacks in Gulf of Guinea

The Italian Navy’s Carlo Bergamini-class frigate "Federico Martinengo" (F596) recently foiled two pirate attacks in the Gulf of Guinea with the help of a VBSS team of the San Marco Marine Brigade (BMSM). The FREMM GP frigate currently operates in the region to protect national interests and maritime routes

Nathan Gain 16 Nov 2020

November 7 off Benin

Torm Alexandra freighter under escort from ITS Federico Martinengo

On November 7, in the evening, the Federico Martinengo rescued the Singaporian freighter Torm Alexandra. It was attacked by pirates in international waters off the coast of Benin, in the Gulf of Guinea. The operation initially involved an NH90 NFH helicopter which put the pirate boat on the run in close coordination with the neighboring countries’ navies.

The Italian frigate therefore closed in with the merchant ship to assist the crew still locked up in the designated protected area. Subsequently, using the helicopter, a team from the BMSM was sent on board to check that there were no more pirates and armed personnel, checking the merchant ship from the command bridge to the engine room and securing all the premises.

At 2030 Italian time, the BMSM inspection team declared the freighter out of danger and returned it to the crew who were able to resume navigation and continue to its destination.

November 14 off Sao Tome

VBSS team from San Marco Marine Brigade boarding the Zhen Hua 7. Italian Navy picture.

The same frigate has been the protagonist of a similar episode a few days later, confirming how a dangerous maritime area the Gulf of Guinea has become. On November 14, the Italian Navy intervened to rescue the merchant ship Zhen Hua 7 (with crew members of Chinese nationality and flying the Liberian flag) which suffered another pirates attack.

Having closed in and established communications, the Federico Martinengo got the confirmation of the escape of the pirates from the crew of the merchant vessel. They requested medical support in favor of a sailor who suffered a gunshot wound to his leg. The BMSM was deployed to inspect the merchant ship and allow a medical team to intervene in complete safety.

The injured sailor was stabilized by the frigates’ medical personnel. It was found necessary to transfer him by helicopter to a hospital in the nearby town of Sao Tome in order to provide him with appropriate care.

Gulf of Guinea Italian Navy Piracy 2020-11-16
Tags Gulf of Guinea Italian Navy Piracy
Facebook Twitter Stumble linkedin Pinterest More

Authors

Posted by : Nathan Gain
Nathan is based in Namur, Belgium. He holds an MA in modern history with a minor in international relations from the Catholic University of Louvain (UCL – Belgium). Fascinated by military history he naturally turned to the defense sector after graduating and is particularly interested in Northern European and Belgian defense issues as well as in anything related to naval aviation.

Related Articles

Leonardo to provide surveillance  and protection systems for Italian  Navy’s U212 NFS

Leonardo to provide surveillance and protection systems for Italian Navy’s U212 NFS

Xavier Vavasseur 26 Feb 2021
The agreement with Fincantieri will see Leonardo equipping the first two new U212 NFS of the Italian Navy...
Italy’s U212NFS Near Future Submarine Contract Signed

Italy’s U212NFS Near Future Submarine Contract Signed

Luca Peruzzi 26 Feb 2021
Fincantieri press release Such contract, in which Fincantieri will act as prime contractor, envisages an ...
Intermarine Wins Contract for Italian Navy’s New Generation MCM Vessel

Intermarine Wins Contract for Italian Navy’s New Generation MCM Vessel

Xavier Vavasseur 16 Feb 2021
Intermarine press release La Spezia, 15 February 2021 – Intermarine, a company in the Immsi ...

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Legal / Privacy Policy
About Us
Contact Us

© Naval News 2019 - 2020
All Rights Reserved