Pacific Fleet (PF) task unit headed by Capt 1 rank Ildar Akhmerov and comprising large ASW ship Admiral Tributs, tanker Pechenga, and seagoing tug MB-37 started escorting of the fourth commercial convoy within the framework of anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden, PF spokesman Capt 1 rank Roman Martov told Central Navy Portal.
At present, Admiral Tributs escorts five ships flying flags of Liberia, Malta, Croatia, and United Arab Emirates along safety corridor towards eastern part of the gulf.
Seagoing tug MB-37 with PF marine unit on board also escorts one merchant ship towards the Red Sea.
The seventh PF antipiracy task unit arrived in the deployment area early Jan 2012. Since that time PF mariners have escorted over 20 commercial vessels in convoys. The unit command met with NATO counterparts and held joint underway replenishment drill.
Six previous PF task units deployed off Africa have effectively accomplished their anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden.
All ships have specially trained PF marine units on board. Sixth PF task unit headed by large ASW ship Admiral Panteleyev is presently completing deployment and will reach homebase on Feb 12.
[mappress] World Maritime News Staff, February 9, 2012;