The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has published its new work programme for 2012, which sets out EMSA's priorities for 2012 in the Agency's main fields of activity.

1. Visits and inspections to monitor the implementation of EU legislation: EMSA will continue to carry out inspections of Recognised Organisations (22 planned inspections), maritime education and certification systems in third countries (10 inspections), and port state control authorities in the EU Member States. EMSA will also carry out inspections in EU Member States to verify the implementation of EU legislation on the minimum level of training of seafarers, vessel traffic services, marine equipment and ship safety standards.

2. Providing technical and scientific assistance and facilitating technical co-operation: EMSA will continue to provide technical assistance to the Commission, the Member States and the Recognised Organisations. In particular, in 2012 EMSA will focus on further developing a harmonised training tool for PSC officers (in co-operation with the Paris Memorandum of Understanding) and European Marine Casualty information Platform (EMCiP).

3.Vessel traffic and maritime monitoring systems: EMSA plans to explore the possibility of regional use of vessel traffic monitoring systems with neighbouring countries. The Agency will also work towards delivering more integrated maritime traffic and ship data services through the Integrated Maritime Data Environment (IMDatE). In particular, a Satellite AIS data processing capability will be established as a module of IMDatE to enable the distribution of available satellite AIS data. EMSA will also continue to assist EU NAVFOR, the EU anti-piracy mission, with updated data streams and piracy intelligence information.

4.Pollution preparedness and response: EMSA will continue to maintain a network of Stand-by oil spill response vessels along European coasts. The Agency will also work towards enhancing its oil spill and vessel monitoring service (CleanSeaNet) by improving the satellite coverage of European waters.

EMSA was set up in 2003 as a technical body advising the European Commission and EU Member States in the field of maritime safety following the sinking of the oil tankers Erika and Prestige. EMSA's main objective is to prevent and respond to maritime accidents and marine pollution in European waters. Among other things, EMSA manages the EU Vessel Traffic Monitoring System (SafeSeaNet) and the EU oil spill monitoring service (CleanSeaNet).

The powers of the Agency are currently under review - a process that could lead to a wider field of activity for EMSA in the future to include environmental policy, research and co-operation with third countries.

EMSA's 2012 work programme can be found in full here.

Source : EMSA