On 6 October 2023, a joint anti-piracy exercise took place in the waters of the Gulf of Guinea.
The event involved:
• Great Theme, the Italian flag merchant ship of the Grimaldi Group
• Ship Foscari of the Italian Navy
• CONFITARMA
• the Multidomain Marine Operations Center (COMM) of Command in Head of the Naval Squadron (CINCNAV)
• The Coast Guard National Operations Center (CONGUARCOST) in its function as National Competent Authority for Maritime Security
• the operational headquarters of the Grimaldi Group in Naples
The exercise was conducted by simulating an attack by a pirate boat on the merchant ship Great Theme. After activating the SSAS (Ship Security Alert System) and preparing all the internal actions necessary to dissuade and counter the pirates, the crew took refuge inside their citadel.
Having received the alarm signal from the ship, the National Coast Guard Operations Center, the National Authority responsible for the Maritime Security, activated the expected information flow and Nave Foscari, Navy patrol vessel located in the coveted Gulf of Guinea Operation Gabinia, was commissioned, through the Multidomain Marine Operations Center of the Command in Head of the Naval Squadron, to intercept the merchantman to conduct a boarding by the specialist team of the marine brigade Saint Mark embarked.
The insertion took place using "fast rope", a rapid descent technique from a helicopter via "cable". Once on board, the team headed from the drop zone to the command bridge to regain control of the merchant ship and, finally, towards the citadel to free the crew, effectively foiling the pirate attack and allowing navigation to continue insecurity.
The exercise highlighted the synergy between the Navy, Coast Guard, Confitarma and shipping companies operating in the Gulf of Guinea.
It is also important to underline the high level of professionalism of all military and civilian personnel involved in the exercise. In particular, the CSO (Company Security Officer), as well as the commander and crew of the Great Theme they demonstrated considerable preparation and competence. For some time, in fact, the Grimaldi Group has dedicated a significant commitment to training its staff, on land and on board, to adequately train them to deal with situations of tension and danger, such as piracy attacks.
The Gulf of Guinea plays a very important role for Italy, both in terms of trade with the countries of the region and energy supply. However, the area remains at high risk of piracy attacks and other maritime crimes, posing a real danger to transiting merchant vessels and their crews. Not to mention the negative impacts on the entire commercial chain.
To address this threat, starting from January 2020, the Navy has been active in West Africa with presence and surveillance missions aimed at contributing to freedom of navigation, as well as the safety and security of the merchant vessels operating there.
