So far, not one country has proved willing to take these 13 pirates and put them on trial. As a result, this Dutch Royal Navy frigate (in terms of size and weaponry the equal of a destroyer) remains on active duty with Operation Atalanta, making it doubtful whether the crew will make it home at all for the Christmas holidays. 
 

During the Netherlands' period in command, 'Atalanta' had a varying number of European navy ships and maritime patrol aircraft at its disposal. Over the past four month, 77 attacks by Somali pirates have been repelled, 39 pirates arrested and some 264 people rescued from drowning at sea. On top of this, the EU ships have also escorted a total of 27 food convoys to conflict-stricken Somalia.
 

In the part of the Gulf of Aden protected by the various navies - and one of the busiest sea lanes connecting Asia and Europe - no vessels at all have been seized by pirates since July. The Somali pirates have in fact moved their 'area of operation' into the Indian Ocean - up to 1500 kilometres further out from the Somali coastline. This is a much larger area, one that is much more difficult to patrol effectively, but also one that has much less maritime traffic.