Working Conditions Aboard the Industrial-Ace

The MV Caroline Scan has completed a commendable four-year mission supporting the World Food Programme (WFP) in delivering vital aid, particularly in areas affected by piracy off the coast of Somalia. After providing security for two and a half years, the EU Naval Force has officially said goodbye to the ship and its dedicated crew. As the vessel prepares for a scheduled maintenance period, it will head to a shipyard in Singapore in April 2014, marking the end of an impressive chapter in its service.

The EU Naval Force (EU NavFor) has been instrumental in securing vital World Food Programme (WFP) shipments in the Gulf of Aden and the Western Indian Ocean as part of its Operation Atalanta. A recent press release from EU NavFor highlighted an impressive track record: not a single WFP vessel has been subjected to pirate attacks, ensuring the safe delivery of 880,000 tonnes of essential aid to the Somali population. Presently, the WFP primarily relies on the MV Caroline Scan, a time-chartered vessel that has been pivotal since 2011, delivering a substantial 127,000 tonnes of humanitarian assistance. For its ongoing voyages, the MV Caroline Scan is currently under the protection of Serbian Forces' AVPD, reinforcing the collaborative effort to safeguard crucial supplies against piracy.

The voyage of the M/V CAROLINE SCAN to the Kenyan port of Mombasa was closely monitored by the German frigate FGS KOELN, which is part of the European Union Naval Force Somalia under Operation Atalanta. This significant mission involved the frigate providing essential escort for the vessel, chartered by the World Food Programme, as it carries urgently needed food supplies to aid the people of Somalia. To enhance the security of the operation, a German Vessel Protection Detachment (VPD) was also onboard the CAROLINE SCAN, ensuring a higher level of safety during the transit.