The European Union’s Operation IRINI investigated 274 merchant vessels via radio calls (out of 12,490) and carried out 12 visits on ships (out of 593) in November 2023.
Launched in March 2020, Operation IRINI is part of the European integrated approach to Libya, which includes political, military, economic and humanitarian efforts to bring stability and security to the country. Its primary task is to implement the UN arms embargo on Libya.
In its monthly update, the Operation reported that it also monitored 26 suspect flights (out of 1310) in November 2023, and continued to monitor 25 airports (and landing strips) and 16 ports (and oil terminals).
One flag State, owned by Turkey, has denied the consent to board and inspect suspect vessels on eleven occasions, according to Operation IRINI.
Finally, through the embedded Crime Information Cell, the operation issued 83 recommendations for inspection of suspect vessels in EU Member States’ ports to the relevant Law Enforcement agencies, of which 64 were conducted.