The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has issued a publication presenting the main steps the Agency plans to take in 2025 to deliver on its multi-annual strategic objectives.
The Outlook 2025 reflects on EMSA’s evolving responsibilities, which have been further shaped by recent legislative developments, including the FuelEU Maritime Regulation and the Maritime Safety Package. This Maritime Safety Package aims to modernise maritime safety rules and tackle ship-source pollution. It is expected to have a significant impact on EMSA’s activities and resources starting in 2025.
Additionally, the proposal to revise EMSA’s mandate is set to introduce a broader scope of tasks and responsibilities. This revision will further align EMSA’s capabilities with evolving EU priorities, enhancing its role in key areas such as decarbonisation, maritime safety, and digitalisation, and providing additional resources to support these new activities throughout 2025.
This package introduces important revisions to directives governing accident investigation, port state control, compliance with flag state requirements and ship source pollution, which will significantly shape EMSA’s activities and resources in 2025 and beyond.
… explained Maja Markovčić Kostelac, Executive Director
Key thematic areas
Structured around seven key thematic areas, the Outlook emphasises sustainability, safety & security, surveillance, and simplification. Additionally, it integrates three cross-cutting themes – digitalisation, technical assistance, and strategic support – to ensure that EMSA’s activities remain aligned with EU priorities while optimising the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of its services.
According to the publication, in 2025, EMSA will:
- Prioritise the reduction of the maritime sector’s environmental impact, supporting EU decarbonisation goals, sustainable fuels, and pollution reduction.
- Further develop maritime surveillance capabilities, providing advanced technologies to support Member States and EU agencies in various maritime operations.
- Play a key role in enhancing maritime safety and security, focusing on implementing the new Maritime Safety Package, which aims to modernise safety regulations and tackle ship-source pollution.
- Drive simplification through digitalisation, enhancing maritime operations and reducing administrative burdens.
- Enhance the digital portfolio. Provide technical assistance and capacity building
- Continue providing technical assistance through capacity-building initiatives, supporting the implementation of EU maritime legislation and conducting inspections and visits.
- Deliver financially efficient and operationally effective maritime services to support the objectives of key EU bodies and stakeholders.
The year ahead will see EMSA expanding its responsibilities to help Member States implement key legislative frameworks, including the new Maritime Safety Package. With reinforced resources, EMSA is well positioned to support Member States as they adapt to revisions in the Port State Control, Accident Investigation, Flag State, and Ship Source Pollution Directives.
… said Wojciech Zdanowicz, Chair of the Administrative Board
