The Spanish Navy’s offshore patrol vessel ‘Metereo’ arrived in Cape Town today for a three- day visit to the South African Navy, following a four-month mission fighting piracy off the Gulf of Aden and Somalia as part of the European Union naval force which has been deployed to secure and protect shipping and maritime assets in the region.
‘Meteoro’ is one of the world’s most advanced offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) and the first unit of its class. The OPV’s deployment is part of the Spanish government’s commitment to Operation Atalanta, the EU’s counter-piracy mission which started in 2008. Whilst moored in Table Bay the vessel will play host to a number of official engagements with the South African national, regional and local government, the South African Navy, and South Africa’s local maritime and shipbuilding industry.
“Maritime and coastal security is an ever-increasing demand for South Africa and other African coastal states. Despite the successes in fighting piracy around the Horn of Africa, a lot of resources are lost every year by Africa’s ‘blue economies’ due to illegal fishing, piracy and pollution. Spain and South Africa are advocating more collaboration among international partners and African governments to secure and protect offshore assets,” said Spanish ambassador to South Africa, Juan Sell.
