Denmark will deploy a Navy frigate to the Gulf of Guinea to tackle piracy and crew kidnappings in the region.
The frigate will carry around 195 personnel, as well as a Seahawk helicopter and a maritime task force unit. The frigate will start operations in November, and will be in the region about 5 months.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the aim of the deployment is to “combat piracy and create a safer framework for Danish and international shipping in the Gulf of Guinea.”
In addition, the tasks of the frigate contribution may include surveillance and reconnaissance, area protection, escorting ships, as well as search and rescue. Moreover, there is the possibility that the maritime task force will be be deployed as a boarding team on hijacked ships, in rescue operations and in special reconnaissance missions.
In 2020, 135 crew were kidnapped from their ships, with the Gulf of Guinea accounting for more than 95% of the crew numbers kidnapped. The pirates launch their attacks from the Niger Delta, where they also hold their hostages.
Aiming to tackle piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, maritime companies, organisations and flag states, have signed the Gulf of Guinea Declaration on Suppression of Piracy, which was launched on May 17.
According to the signatories, they firmly believe that piracy and attempts at kidnapping are preventable through ”active anti-piracy operations and that by the end of 2023 the number of attacks by pirates can be reduced by at least 80%.”
