Since its launch on 31 March 2020, EUNAVFORMED Irini has monitored 4,498 merchant vessels via radio calls, according to a mission statement dated 31 October (see EUROPE B12680A14).
The EU mission visited 201 vessels with the consent of their masters and boarded and inspected 20 suspect vessels, one of which was diverted to a European port and had its cargo seized. On six occasions, one flag State (Turkey) denied its consent to board and inspect suspect vessels.
Irini also investigated 634...