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Operation Sea Guardian: NATO ships make port call in Tunisia

NATO Allied Maritime Command

Sep 19 2025

MEDITERRANEAN SEA -- The Romanian ship ROS Regina Maria (F222), assigned to NATO's Operation Sea Guardian (OSG) maritime task group, visited Tunis, Tunisia, for a port visit from 16-17 September while deployed in the western Mediterranean Sea.

The OSG task group, led by Romanian Navy Captain George-Victor Durea aboard the flagship ROS Regina Maria and Croatia's HRV Vukovar, are currently deployed to the western Mediterranean to enhance regional maritime security and strengthen partnerships.

The Tunisian port visit presented vital partnership-building opportunities, reinforcing NATO's commitment to peace, stability, and freedom of navigation in the region. Tunisia has been a valued partner of the Alliance for nearly 30 years through the Mediterranean Dialogue.

"Our visit presented an opportunity to foster good relations with nations that we have partnered with for years that are vitally important to keeping the region safe," said Captain Durea.

While alongside in Tunis, Captain Durea and the Commanding Officer of the Regina Maria, Captain Mitel-Laurențiu Alexandru, were hosted by Tunisian Navy Commodore Ketib Khouja, the commanding officer of the La Goulette Naval Base. The ship's crew experienced Tunisian culture and hosted a VIP luncheon on board the flagship. The crew of ROS Regina Maria also took the opportunity in Tunis to bring on supplies and refuel their ship before heading back to sea.

Operation Sea Guardian plays a vital role in safeguarding the Mediterranean Sea by enhancing maritime situational awareness throughout the region to ensure free and open seaways. Through continuous vigilance and surveillance, OSG strengthens the understanding of maritime activities, ensuring a safer environment for commercial trade and transit.

Exercises and port visits in the maritime with Partner nations strengthen operational effectiveness and improve interoperability between participating forces, fostering a more coordinated and responsive approach to maritime security challenges.

OSG task groups operate under the command and control of NATO's Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), which serves as the central hub for sharing maritime security within the Alliance.

As a standing Maritime Security Operation, OSG is dedicated to deterring and countering terrorism while mitigating threats to maritime security in the Mediterranean. Furthermore, OSG carries out focused patrols in designated areas during specific periods throughout the year, reinforcing its commitment to regional stability and security.

Story by Public Affairs Office at MARCOM