LOC15:35
12:35 GMT
BRUSSELS, Aug 6 (KUNA) -- The Dutch Frigate Van Speijk, pat of NATO's
counter-piracy Operation Ocean Shield, ensured the safe passage of the cargo
vessel Maersk McKinney Moller, currently the world's largest ship, as it
transited the Gulf of Aden on Monday, NATO said in a press release here today.
The 400-metre long, 165,000 ton commercial ship is on its maiden voyage
from Asia to Europe.
It stated that 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.
The ships maintain a high level of vigilance off the Horn of Africa,
despite the fact that the last successful pirate attack happened more than a
year ago, noted the statement.
The NATO operation is currently being led by Norwegian Commodore Henning
Amundsen.
The other two ships in the mission include the Fridtjof Nansen and the USS
De Wert which joined the operation on 2 August. (end)
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