EMSA announced the main steps it plans to take in 2022 to deliver its annual work programme in line with its multi-annual strategic objectives.
Sustainability and technical assistance
In the future, EMSA will continue to contribute to the European Green Deal and its associated ‘Fit for 55’ package.
For this reason, EMSA will enhance its technical support in key areas, including shipping’s part in achieving a decarbonised transport sector, reducing shipping’s impact on biodiversity and lessening the degradation caused by waste from ships and contributing to greener maritime transport overall.
EMSA will also continue to offer expertise and technical assistance in the field of environmental protection, helping the European Commission and Member States to address a wide variety of ship-sourced pollution and emission-related issues, including carbon dioxide, nitrogen and sulphur emissions, alternative sources of power, port reception facilities, ship recycling, ballast water management, underwater noise and zero-pollution ambitions.
Furthermore, coastal states will continue to benefit from marine pollution response services available from EMSA, including oil spill response vessels, seaborne dispersant spraying, equipment assistance including near-shore equipment, and Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) surveillance. These services will continue to be part of exercises in 2022, to improve the capacity of Member States to respond to pollution at sea.
What is more, visits to Member States, inspections to Recognised Organisations, and STCW inspections of non-EU countries which took place remotely because of the COVID-19 pandemic will be completed with field work in 2022, with the aim to monitor the implementation of the relevant EU legislation, and using the results to identify potential gaps and areas of best practice. The third cycle of visits relating to seafarer training is also expected to start in 2022.
Safety, security and surveillance
In 2022, the following will be areas in which EMSA will focus on:
- Autonomous shipping
- Passenger ship safety
- Fire safety
- Container ship safety
- EU fishing ship safety
- Life-saving appliances
- Steering and manoeuvrability standards
- Safety standards for the use of alternative sources of energy.
For autonomous shipping, EMSA will continue in the development of a risk-based assessment tool for the evaluation of new MASS projects and will initiate the work for developing guidance on the use of battery systems in maritime applications.
EMSA will also be offering support to the European Commission in the context of its initiative in the area of fishing vessels.
Moreover, EMSA will begin new studies looking into fire safety in its broadest sense (Cargosafe), as well as into safety issues connected with COVID-19 and its impact on marine casualties and incidents.
The Agency will also follow up on a series of commissioned safety studies (Firesafe, Steersafe and Safemass) providing technical input as necessary.
Among others, EMSA will provide support for the study on Small Passenger Ship Safety and continued guidance for the carriage of Alternative Powered Vehicles on RoPax ships.
Digital services and simplification
In 2022 EMSA will continue to further its knowledge in the area of maritime data analytics identifying opportunities where artificial intelligence and machine-based learning can support specific operational scenarios.
Based on the automated analysis of data and trends, the identified solutions will be expected to reduce the workload of maritime administrations by alerting their operators to events which may negatively impact maritime safety or security
said EMSA.
In the medium term, EMSA aims to switch from a near real time maritime traffic picture to a real time maritime traffic picture as cloud-based solutions are rolled out over the next few years.
Continuing, in 2022 steps will be taken towards a new Earth Observation Data Centre to gradually replace the existing data processing system, with increased performance and access to new satellite data sources.
In the coming year, a new web application, SurvSeaNet will take over from the RPAS Data Centre, providing an integrated picture for RPAS operations as well as future opportunities for integration with EMSA’s Integrated Maritime Services.
As for the THETIS information system, it will continue to expand with additional modules and functionalities. Plans in 2022 include incorporating a new module into THETIS-EU that will support the inspection of livestock-carrying vessels.
Eyes will also be on improving THETIS-EU, THETIS-MED and THETIS-MRV in areas where these tools can better support the enforcement of the relevant EU legislation.
EXPLORE MORE AT EMSA’S OUTLOOK FOR 2022
