NATO ships start boarding operations in Mediterranean

On 29 April 2003, NATO naval forces operating in the Mediterranean conducted for the first time a boarding operation in support of the fight against international terrorism. Compliant boarding operations were initiated as part of NATO’s ongoing Operation Active Endeavour.

The Merchant Vessel Nino Star, flagged by Comoros, was boarded by a NATO team from Task Force Endeavour in international waters near Cyprus on 29 April 2003. A second vessel, MV Dimo, also flagged by Comoros, was boarded on 30 April 2003. In both cases the cargo was found to be in accordance with the manifests.

The North Atlantic Council, the Alliance’s highest decision-making body, decided to extend NATO’s maritime operations in the Mediterranean to include boarding operations to enhance the effectiveness of the current naval operations against suspected terrorist activities in the Mediterranean. Boarding operations will be conducted in accordance with the rules of international law and are of a compliant nature.

These boarding operations are conducted within the framework surveillance and monitoring operations of maritime trade in the Mediterranean that were initiated on 26 October 2001 as part of the measures aimed at assisting the United States in the fight against international terrorism after the 11 September attacks. They will enhance the effectiveness and deterrence of NATO naval operations.

Operation Active Endeavour is a valuable contribution to the worldwide campaign against terrorism and is part of the NATO action that followed the declaration of Article 5 on 12 September, 2001. Since the start of the operation some 30,000 merchant vessels have been monitored. Operation Active Endeavour also encompasses escorting of allied merchant shipping through the Strait of Gibraltar.