Royal Grace safe at Salalah

The Royal Grace was hijacked by pirates on 2 March 2012 and released 9 March 2013 after an undisclosed ransom payment.

The ship's docking at Salalah was delayed after a shipping agency that was due to act as the ship's local agent declined the role.

EU Navfor flagship ESPS Méndez Núnez offered initial assistance to the Royal Grace before leaving her to travel to Salalah under the protection warship ESPS Rayo. The flagship went on to assist super tanker Smynri after it was released 10 March 2013 following 10 months under pirate control.

Speaking after the release of Smyrni,  Pedro García de Paredes, force commander of the EU counter-piracy task force said "We must remember that two ships are still being held by pirates and 60 men are still being held hostage against their will.  Recent disruptions by EU Naval Force warships show that pirates are still intent on getting out to sea to attack ships.  We must remain vigilant, any complacency by ships transiting the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden will be seized on by pirates.  The pirates' business model is fractured, but it is not broken.  The threat remains."