EMSA gives first factual analysis of maritime safety landscape in the EU

One of the key pillars of the EU safety framework is port state control, which results in over 14,000 vessel checks each year by inspectors in EU ports, complemented by legislative initiatives like the specific EU survey regime for RoPax and high-speed craft, and the obligation for Member States to report and monitor accidents centrally for analysis and development of preventive actions.

This legislation supports the implementation and enforcement of international conventions adopted at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) by addressing specific risks and putting in place a centralised approach in support of maritime safety.

The EMSAFE report, published by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) also highlights the assistance that the Agency provides to the European Commission to check the implementation of EU legislation.

In this regard, EMSA has carried out more than 300 visits to Member States on behalf of the Commission over the past two decades, as well as more than 300 inspections of EU recognised organisations, to which Member States are increasingly delegating tasks linked to their flag state responsibilities.

In addition, more than 70 inspections of maritime administrations, education, and training institutes in third countries were carried out in the same period, to assist the Commission in assessing compliance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.

In 2020 alone more than 680,000 calls to EU ports were registered. The exchange of safety information between Member States in areas like dangerous cargo transported, vessel positioning data, and the registration of passengers, is therefore vital. Consequently, EMSA will continue to develop and improve SafeSeaNet, the EU-wide maritime data exchange, to offer facilitation services, simplify the fulfilment of reporting obligations, and support new and revised EU legislation. These developments consolidate the role of SafeSeaNet as the primary platform for maritime safety information in the EU.

EMSAFE is released at a time in which the EU Member State-flagged fleet is experiencing slower growth than that of world fleet (3.4% growth over the past five years as compared to 7% growth for the world fleet). Although the average age of EU Member State-flagged vessels is broadly comparable to that of the world
fleet, some ship categories are ageing, including passenger vessels, which have an average age of 28 years.

Today’s report stands testimony to how the EU’s efforts to ensure maritime safety have been effective in preventing accidents and ensuring a high level of harmonised safety rules across the Union. At the same time, a single maritime accident can have catastrophic consequences for human life and the marine environment, so continuous vigilance and improvement remain essential

said EU Transport Commissioner, Adina Vălean.

Executive Director of EMSA, Maja Markovčić Kostelac, added that “safety is the cornerstone of all maritime activities. Without safety there can be no sustainability, no security, and no evolution of the maritime transport sector in the EU.”

EXPLORE MORE AT THE EMSAFE REPORT