More than 100.000 merchant ships hailed by NATO in the Mediterranean
Operation Active Endeavour, part of NATO’s multi-faceted response to the terrorism in the Mediterranean. Since the operation started in 2001, the NATO units assigned to the operation have contacted over 100.000 merchant ships.
In the course of the past years, Operation Active Endeavour has evolved from a small-scale deployment providing a modest military presence in an important stretch of sea into a comprehensive, continuously adapting, counter terrorism operation throughout the Mediterranean. Its mission is to conduct maritime operations in the area of operations to demonstrate NATO’s resolve to help deter, defend, disrupt and protect against terrorism over one of the world’s key strategic waterways , which at any one time , is being used by at least 7000 merchant vessels. Regular communications with the merchant shipping community in the Mediterranean is just one aspect of the operation which continues without a break.
Operation Active Endeavour has continued to evolve with advances in surveillance technology. Initially a purely NATO operation, the operation now involves non-NATO nations which have formally agreed to support the effort with information exchange and/or the provision of ships. Additionally, 46 countries provide information for an information sharing network- the Maritime Safety and Security Information System.
Analysis has shown that Operation Active Endeavour has and continues to make a difference in deterring terrorism and related activities in the Mediterranean. In the course of anti-terrorist activities, NATO units have also detected and report many cases of suspicious activity to appropriate law enforcement agencies.
The operation not only demonstrates NATO’s resolve but is also a clear example of the value that NATO can bring to the complex, global fight against terrorism.
The operation conducted by Vice Adm. Maurizio Gemignani, Italian Navy, Commander CC-MAR NAPLES, from his headquarters in Naples, Italy, through a Task Force deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean, named Task Force Endeavour.
For more information about Operation Active Endeavour, visit JFC Naples official web site or Maritime Security Centre.