[4] In 2012, the scope of the mission expanded to include Somali coastal territories and internal waters so as to co-ordinate counter-piracy operations with Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and regional administrations.

On 1 January 2021, the Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/2188[7] of 22 December 2020 that extended again the mandate of the EU NAVFOR Somalia Operation ATALANTA for another two years was implemented.

Although it took time for the data to lead to direct legal consequences, DG MARE has subsequently used the information EU NAVFOR provides to build sanctions cases against foreign governments.

Located in Brest (FR) and depending on the Headquarters of Operation ATALANTA, is the Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa (MSCHOA),[8] an initiative established by the European Union Naval Force, with close co-operation from industry.

Around 700 personnel are involved in ATALANTA,[9] with the size of the force typically varying between 1–6 surface combat vessels and 1–3 Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

In the short term, transfers for trial from EU NAVFOR ships remain necessary to put an end to impunity in the Indian Ocean.

In June 2008, the Council unanimously passed Resolution 1816 authorising nations that have the agreement of the Transitional Federal Government to enter Somali territorial waters to deal with pirates.

On 1 January 2009, eight Somali suspects were captured by the French aviso Premier-Maître L'Her as they attempted to seize a Panamanian-registered cargo ship (MV S Venus) some 50 nautical miles south of Yemen.

The Russian destroyer Marshal Shaposhnikov freed the 106,474-ton MV Moscow University, which was about 350 miles east of Socotra, transporting crude oil from Sudan to China.

[17] In September 2011, marines from the Spanish landing platform dock Galicia rescued the French citizen Evelyn Colombo.

[19] In November 2012, Marines from the Spanish corvette Infanta Cristina [es] liberated 21 Pakistani sailors from the trawler Al Talal, who had been kidnapped, detaining 9 pirates.

[20] On 15 May 2012, EU naval forces conducted their first raid on pirate bases on the Somali mainland as part of the operation, saying they "destroyed several boats".

On 21 April, EU NAVFOR dispatched its Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPRAs) and conducted a search in the area, resulting in identifying the mothership dhow.

On 23 April, in collaboration with its MPRAs, EU NAVFOR's flagship, the Spanish frigate Navarra, successfully intercepted and boarded the captured dhow vessel.