MANAMA, Bahrain – 107 Representatives from the militaries of 25 countries, 14 organisations, shipping industry, and various governments met in Bahrain on Jun 28 to discuss counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and the Somali Basin. This 20th Shared Awareness and Deconfliction (SHADE) meeting was chaired by European Union Naval Forces (EUNAVFOR), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and co chaired by the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and

This meeting heard reports from the EUNAVFOR Task Force Commander on the current operational situation, as well as reports from various working groups. Representatives agreed to further coordination through better communications procedures, synchronized operations, and capacity building endeavors throughout the region.

The SHADE meeting was established in December, 2008, in order to coordinate the efforts of the myriad military forces conducting counter piracy in the region. Tactical and Operational commanders meet with their counter-parts to provide awareness of current and planned operations, discuss threat analysis, and provide feedback to the Contact Group for Piracy off the Coast of Somalia.

SHADE meets regularly in Bahrain which is home of the Combined Maritime Forces. Through regular coordination meetings the militaries have gained valuable insight in countering the threat of piracy to global shipping.