Sep 14, 2009 (Hugin via COMTEX) — Between the 13th and the 14th of September, the Dockwise semi-submersible, heavy-marine transport vessel, Mighty Servant 1, was safely escorted by EUNAVFOR warships through the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden.

Dockwise is the world leader in heavy-ocean transport and installation, operating the largest fleet of 20 specialized vessels, which are able to transport inconceivably large and heavy cargoes, some weighing up to 76,000 metric tons. The Mighty Servant 1 is currently transporting the Gjoa Hull from Korea to Norway.

The EUNAVFOR Belgian warship Louise-Marie, participating in the European Operation Atalanta, was tasked to escort the Mighty Servant 1 for two days before handing her over to EUNAVFOR Swedish warships K11, STOCKHOLM and K12, MALMO, which continued the escort. The Dutch Commander Bindt of warship HM Evertsen is currently in command of Operation Atalanta. EUNAVFOR, the NATO Task Force and TF 151, of the Combined Maritime Forces coordinate their efforts for the protection of all shipping in the IRTC in the Gulf of Aden.

Dockwise, adopting the Best Management Practices as advertised on the MSCHOA website, registered the Mighty Servant 1 with MSCHOA, which guaranteed that she was particularly monitored during the transit through the protected IRTC.