EU NAVFOR Somalia has also been instrumental in building maritime security capacity in the Horn of Africa by providing training activities and facilitating joint exercises. Vice Admiral Martorell frequently complemented these military activities with regular visits to regional states. These visits supported ongoing political efforts to find regional solutions to enhance maritime security.

As EU NAVFOR Somalia is one of three missions that comprise the European Union’s Comprehensive Approach to the development of Somalia, Vice Admiral Martorell also spent much time supporting sister EU missions, EU CAP Somalia and the EU Training Mission Somalia . He regularly supported the EU Delegation to Somalia through provision of training opportunities for regional coastguards or by hosting high-level representatives on board EU NAVFOR warships.

“It has been a pleasure and an honour for me to command such professional and dedicated personnel,” said Vice Admiral Martorell in a ceremony on Tuesday. “Nineteen different countries have come together with the shared goal of securing the waters off the Horn of Africa, and I am proud of the relationships we continue to develop with key maritime leaders and military actors in the region.”