Operation Active Endeavour originates from NATO’s decision to implement Article 5 of the Washington treaty for the first time in the Alliance’s history, following the attacks on the world Trade Centre and the Pentagon on 11 September 2001. In October of the same year, NATO’s Standing Naval Force Mediterranean was tasked to deploy to the Eastern Mediterranean to demonstrate NATO’s resolve and solidarity in the face of the terrorist threat.

NATO ships monitor vessels in the Mediterranean to ensure that they are not engaged in illegal activity, specifically terrorist-related operations including the transport of WMD. Since 2003 NATO ships have been systematically boarding vessels to inspect documentation and cargo. Ships transiting through the Mediterranean can also request an escort through the Straits of Gibraltar. Since its inception, over 75,000 ships have been monitored with more than 100 of them being boarded. In addition, almost 500 vessels have taken advantage of NATO escorts.