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 12680/14).
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 suspicious flights, 25 airports and 16 ports, and provided 31 special reports to the UN Panel of Experts on Libya, 26 of which concerned violations or possible violations of the arms embargo and oil smuggling activities.
Through the Integrated Crime Information Unit, the operation issued 51 recommendations to the relevant law enforcement authorities for the inspection of suspect vessels in the ports of EU Member States, of which 42 were implemented.
In October 2021 alone, the operation investigated 496 merchant ships via radio calls, conducted 18 ship visits with the consent of the captains and checked 22 suspected thefts. The operation issued five recommendations for the inspection of suspect ships in Member States’ ports, two of which were acted upon. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)