EU frigate Victoria docks in Mombasa as Kenya, EU deepen Maritime security ties
The European Union frigate Victoria has docked at the Port of Mombasa as part of the EU’s ongoing naval mission aimed at strengthening maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean.
The deployment is focused on combating piracy, safeguarding commercial shipping routes, and supporting regional maritime stability across the Horn of Africa and the wider Indian Ocean region.
EU officials said the port visit highlights the deepening security partnership between Kenya and the European Union, amid growing concerns over a resurgence of piracy, illicit trafficking, and rising geopolitical competition along critical sea lanes linking Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
During the visit, the frigate will take part in joint naval exercises with the Kenya Navy. The drills will enhance interoperability and focus on maritime surveillance, counter-piracy operations, and coordinated responses to threats at sea.
The mission also reflects the growing global strategic interest in the Indian Ocean and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
The arrival of Victoria follows the EU–Indo-Pacific Ministerial Summit held in November, where European leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maritime security, freedom of navigation, and stronger partnerships with key coastal states, as competition among global powers intensifies along major trade routes.
Through Operation Atalanta, the EU has maintained a naval presence in the Western Indian Ocean for more than a decade. Initially launched to counter piracy off the Somali coast, the mission has since expanded to include surveillance of illicit trafficking, protection of commercial vessels, and support for regional maritime capacity-building.
“Through Atalanta, the EU secures more than sea lanes; it safeguards global stability,” the EU said in a statement, emphasizing that cooperation with African partners remains essential to preserving security in one of the world’s most strategically important maritime corridors.
Fifteen EU ambassadors accredited to Kenya toured the frigate during its stay, reaffirming the strength of the EU–Kenya security partnership at a time when maritime security has become a central focus of international diplomacy.
Mombasa’s selection as a port of call underscores Kenya’s growing role as a regional maritime security hub. The port sits along a vital corridor that carries a significant share of global trade, energy shipments, and commercial cargo, making stability in the Western Indian Ocean a global priority.
Major powers, including the United States, China, European nations and India, continue to expand their presence in the Indo-Pacific, where strategic competition, trade flows and security concerns increasingly converge.
In September last year, two ships from the Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron also made a port call in Mombasa. The Indian High Commission said the visit reflected India’s commitment to its maritime partners under the Mahasagar vision Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions which promotes deeper cooperation across the Indian Ocean Region.
