European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA)

European waters and coastlines have suffered several incidents that have led to very serious consequences in the matter of casualties and pollution. The European Institutions therefore decided to create a specialised Agency to tighten up their pre-existing range of legal tools. This Agency will play an advisory role to the Member States and, also, a supporting role to the Directorate-General of Energy and Transport. It covers 25 Member States and, in addition, Norway and Iceland.

The Agency, established by Regulation (EC) N° 1406/2002 of 27 June 2002, is also listening to public and private sectors whose representatives are members of the EMSA’s Administrative Board. The Agency is active among a range of issues including maritime safety controls as well as classification societies and port reception facilities for hazardous substances. The Agency has also a responsibility in very specialised issues such as the exchange of information about ships and their cargoes and harmonizing Member States’ methodologies in post-accident investigations. The Agency, since it was created, has been tasked with new duties: an operational support role to Member States in their fight against possible important maritime pollutions, a role in controlling security on ships (not in ports), a responsibility in assessing quality in third country maritime training. The Agency’s work ultimately consists of inviting stakeholders to cooperate more in their prevention action. The European Maritime Safety Agency organises regular workshops with European experts to reach this goal.

During the European Summit of 13 December 2003, Heads of State or Government decided to locate the Agency in Lisbon. Since its creation, the Agency has been based in Brussels