Mission Statements Mission Statements & Objectives
To reduce the risk of maritime accidents, marine pollution from ships and the loss of human life at sea. In order to accomplish its tasks and mandate the mission statements of various units are as follows:
Reporting to the Administrative Board, the Executive Director is responsible for the setting up, running and development of the Agency.
BUREAU OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Support to the Director in all areas under his responsibility, including policy, budget planning & monitoring, and communication.
ACCOUNTANT
INTERNAL AUDITOR
The mission of Department A – Corporate services is to provide high quality and timely support to EMSA’s core operational business, and to assist management and staff in the areas of human resources, legal and financial affairs, information technology, facilities and logistics, meeting and conference management, and protocol.
The mission of the Human resources unit is to develop, implement and administer sound human resources management, personnel policies and procedures throughout EMSA, as well as the implementation of the Protocol on Privileges and Immunities. The unit also offers advice to management staff on these matters.
A.1.1 HUMAN RESOURCES
A.1.1 is responsible for the development, implementation and support of staff policy in the areas of: recruitment, administration of current staff, development and training, remuneration and staff welfare. A.1.1 also handles the implementation and support to staff for all rights regarding the Protocol on Privileges and Immunities.
A.1.2 EVENTS & MISSIONS SUPPORT
A.1.2 provides technical and logistical support to events organised by EMSA, together with the processing of Missions Reimbursements.
Unit A.2 provides: advice to the Executive Director in legal, budgetary and financial affairs; financial and legal verification of budgetary and financial transactions; the development and maintenance of Manuals and Guidelines; and the preparation and monitoring of the budget of the Agency.
A.2.1 LEGAL AFFAIRS
A.2.1 is responsible for: legal advice to the Executive Director, maintaining and developing the EMSA Manual and the Procurement Manual; legal verification of procurement procedures and legal commitments; developing guidelines on procurement; and advice to EMSA staff about procurement issues.
A.2.2 BUDGET AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
A.2.2 handles the preparation and monitoring of the budget according to the Financial Regulations and implementing rules. It acts as an internal control, delivering: ex-ante financial verification of commitments, payments, recovery orders; initiation of credit operations and transfers; advice to EMSA staff about financial and budgetary issues.
A.2.3 FACILITIES AND LOGISTICS
A.2.3 provides mail handling, transport, print and facility management services. It is also responsible for the supervision and coordination of contractors regarding cleaning, maintenance and the security of the premises.
Unit A.3 is responsible - within agreed Service Level Agreements (SLAs) - for delivery of all corporate information and communications technology (ICT) related Services, and all ‘horizontal’ ICT services related to the hosting of maritime applications at EMSA. This includes operations and maintenance of related ICT infrastructure, ICT service delivery platforms, critical EMSA maritime applications, and the 24/7 operation of the offsite EMSA Business Continuity Facility (BCF).
In addition, the unit is also tasked with all financial, budget, procurement and contract management aspects related to the activities and tasks of the unit.
Responsible for Information and Telecommunications, Office Facilities & Logistics, Procurement & Financial Assistance regarding contract matters.
A.3.1 ICT OPERATIONS
This sector is responsible for all aspects of ICT operations related to corporate ICT services and horizontal ICT services, platforms and infrastructure. Its primary task is monitoring performance of the two EMSA data centres and associated ICT infrastructure, platforms, critical maritime applications and keeping all systems running within agreed 24/7 SLAs. The sector is also responsible for the architecture, design, testing, acceptance and service transition of all associated equipment, and the management of associated external contractors. A.3.1 is also responsible for the ICT security of the ICT Infrastructure.
In addition the sector delivers all corporate ICT services, and manages and operates all associated applications and service platforms. Through the ICT service desk, it also manages all incidents and service requests and associated interactions with end users.
A.3.2 PROJECT DELIVERY
The primary focus of this sector is enterprise architecture and application lifecycle management, i.e. to ensure the delivery of ICT projects within an agreed time and budget, with agreed scope and quality. While the relevant operational unit in the Agency is responsible for the functional specifications, follow-up, testing and acceptance of systems (i.e. the business logic), A.3.2 is responsible for all ICT tender and project management activities and verification & validation of non-functional requirements (performance, reliability, scalability etc.). A.3.2 is also responsible for an ICT security audit of the project.
In addition, A.3.2 is tasked with all database and middleware administration and installation, configuration and integration of applications within the EMSA ICT Infrastructure (including the Business Continuity Facility) and ICT service platforms (single sign-on, LifeRay Portals, Enterprise Service Bus, nautical maps etc.). Finally, A.3.2 also manages and operates the ICT service platforms.
A.3.3 PROCUREMENT & FINANCIAL SUPPORT
This section is responsible for all aspects of financial, budget, procurement and contract management, related to the activities and tasks of the Operations Support unit.
Supporting the Head of Department are two functions. One is supporting in budget planning and monitoring and the other is carrying out horizontal analysis in relation to the implementation of relevant legislation, in particular reporting on the outcome of the visits and inspections cycles undertaken by the Agency.
Responsible for the activities as set out in Regulation (EC) 1406/2002 in the fields of classification societies, the training of seafarers, maritime security and visits to Member States to monitor their implementation of Community maritime legislation.
B.1.1 VISITS TO MEMBER STATES
To organise and conduct assessments of the implementation by the Member States of EU maritime Regulations and Directives, in cooperation with the EMSA Unit having specific responsibility for that legislation.
B.1.2 ASSESSMENT OF CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES
To organise and conduct assessments of Classification Societies that are already recognised, or are proposed for recognition, under Directive 94/57/EC and to assess the quality of work done by other inspection and certification bodies in related fields.
B.1.3 TRAINING OF SEAFARERS
To conduct inspections, using a common methodology, in Member States and third Countries under Directive 2001/25/EC; to maintain an information system on education, training and certification of seafarers and to assist the Commission on related matters.
B.1.4 MARITIME SECURITY
To assist the Commission in its monitoring of Member States' implementation of the maritime security requirements under Regulation (EC) 725/2004, by providing technical assistance in its inspections of ships, relevant companies and Recognised Security Organisations.
Responsible for providing technical assistance to the European Commission on matters regarding the application and possible amendments to EU legislation falling under the scope of the EMSA Regulation, as amended.
B.2.1 SHIP SAFETY AND MARINE EQUIPMENT
Technical advice and co-operation in implementing Community Legislation concerning passenger ship safety, fishing vessels, bulk carrier safety and oil tanker safety and to carry out the tasks of the Directive 96/98 on marine equipment as amended.
B.2.2 PORT STATE CONTROL
To work with the European Commission and Member States' experts on technical issues regarding the implementation of Directive 2009/16/EC and its implementing regulations on port state control. Participation in technical working groups of the Paris Memorandum of Understanding and assessment of the implementation of port state control in Member States. Hosting, support, development and operation of the supporting information system. Provision of training for PSC Officers aiming at harmonisation within the Paris MoU region as mentioned in the Directive
B.2.3 ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
To develop a common methodology for investigating maritime accidents in conformity with agreed international principles, to support Member States in the investigation of serious maritime accidents, to analyse existing investigation reports, to promote the optimal exchange of findings from investigations between Member States and to create a European database on maritime accidents.
Responsible for providing technical assistance to the European Commission and Member States on matters regarding the application and development of EU legislation and hence to promote quality, safety and environmental protection related to maritime transport in EU waters and beyond.
B.3.1 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
To provide technical assistance and advice to the European Commission and Member States on the environmental issues concerning shipping, including, but not limited to: the development and implementation of existing or proposed International and EU legislation; ship source marine pollution; the provision and use of port waste reception facilities; minimising waste on board ships; ship recycling; the risk of non-indigenous species introduction through ballast water; air pollution; greenhouse gas emissions; sewage discharges; leachates from anti fouling paints, operational oil discharges and the discharge and disposal of cargo residues.
To develop and implement an inspection regime to gather data from the Member States on the implementation of the EC Directive 2000/59/EC on Port Reception Facilities for Ship-Generated Waste and Cargo Residues.
To provide technical assistance to the European Commission and Member States relating to the liability and compensation as provided for in the relevant international conventions and EU legislation, in the field of marine pollution and the carriage of passengers by sea.
B.3.2 TRAINING AND COOPERATION
The provision of training courses and activities on all the subjects in EMSA's mandate: maritime security, traffic monitoring, port reception facilities, environmental protection, marine equipment, pollution response, etc. Training is provided to seminars the EU Member States, Candidate Countries, Potential Candidate Countries, Norway and Iceland, through workshops, experts' visits and information days.
B.3.3 EQUASIS AND STATISTICS
To access, collect, analyze and disseminate safety-related information on ships and their operations. Objective, reliable and relevant information is produced for the benefit of the Agency, the Commission, the Member States and the maritime community more generally. This includes developing methodological tools to enhance maritime knowledge and hence contributing to more transparency of maritime information.
This Department provides operational assistance to Member States and the Commission in the field of preparedness and response to at-sea pollution. It also facilitates technical cooperation between Member States and the Commission for EU vessel traffic monitoring, and the Long Range Identification and Tracking of vessels.
The Department is composed of three units, and also has a horizontal “coordination and support” cell.
Unit C1 provides Member States and the Commission with technical and scientific assistance in the field of accidental or deliberate pollution by ships, and, upon request, delivers support in a cost-efficient way to the anti-pollution mechanisms of Member States.
C.1.1 CO-ORDINATION, COPERATION AND INFORMATION
C.1.1 coordinates and develops response and cooperative activities in the field of pollution preparedness, with clients being the European Commission services, Regional Agreements, other relevant organisations and the Member States. The Sector also assists the work of the Consultative Technical Group on Marine Pollution Preparedness and Response, and manages the expert exchange programme EMPOLLEX.
C.1.1 prepares and disseminates scientific and technical information on oil spill response options, including the use of chemical dispersants, by developing relevant inventories, studies, reports and decision support tools. In parallel, C.1.1 develops and implements EMSA's activities for marine pollution preparedness and response involving hazardous and noxious substances (HNS), based on the Agency's HNS Action Plan, such as maintaining the MAR-ICE Network.C.1.2 & C.1.3 CONTRACT AND FLEET MANAGEMENT: N &W EUROPE / S & E EUROPE
C.1.2 and C.1.3 establish, manage and develop the contracts for the EMSA Stand-by Oil Spill Response Vessel network for European Waters. The Sector’s tasks include: participating in international oil spill response exercises; training responders and verifying the readiness of arrangements; conducting studies addressing the technical and operational status of the vessel network; and implementing improvements when appropriate. The Sectors attend and participate in the technical meetings of the Regional Agreements. They also provide, upon request, the Member States and the Commission with technical and scientific assistance in support of spill response operations, either onsite or remotely.
UnitC.2 facilitates technical cooperation between Member States and the Commission for the exchange of EU vessel traffic information and support EU operational reporting services.
C.2.1 SAFESEANET
C.2.1 cooperates with Member States and the EU institutions to implement, maintain and develop the EU vessel traffic monitoring initiatives in the fields covered by Directive 2002/59/EC (as amended by Directive 2009/17/EC), in particular SafeSeaNet.
C.2.2 MARITIME SUPPORT SERVICES (LRIT, SSN, Incident Alerts)
C.2.2 supports Member States and EU institutions by providing, through the Maritime Support Services (MSS), the operational management of the EU core traffic monitoring systems (LRIT, SSN, incident alerts, etc.) and a 24/7 single point of contact for all maritime operational services.
C.3.1 Integrated Maritime Data
C.3.1 is responsible for the development and implementation of the EMSA integrated platform, a highly flexible and agile technical and operational system, designed to link and interface all EMSA systems and databases into an Integrated Maritime Data Environment. This system is able to provide enhanced maritime picture awareness and added value services to the end-users. The project includes the Agency's contribution to the joint EMSA-ESA European Satellite-AIS project, and supports the implementation of maritime surveillance services.
C.3.2 CLEANSEANET
C.3.2 is responsible for the development and operation of the CleanSeaNet service. Work includes: the monthly planning, ordering and acquisition of satellite images following coordination of requests from Member States for routine monitoring of European waters; developing new applications for the CleanSeaNet service (modelling, integration of AIS-information); organising training, workshops and other support in the fields of oil spill monitoring and the law enforcement chain dealing with illegal discharges at sea. User Group meetings are organised on a bi-annual basis, feedback and results are analysed together with users, and law enforcement authorities and related statistics are produced each year. CleanSeaNet also provides satellite monitoring assistance in case of maritime emergencies and supports the activities of the EU Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) program.
C.3.3 EU LRIT Data Centre
C.3.3 is responsible for the setting-up, operation and maintenance of the European Union LRIT (Long Range Identification and Tracking) Data Centre and future updates, providing technical assistance to the European Commission for the LRIT discussions within the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and coordinating activities with and consultation of the users of the EU LRIT DC. These tasks include organising training, workshops and other support in the field of ship tracking. C.3.3 is also responsible for the operation and maintenance of the associated LRIT Invoicing and Billing system and for the preparation and conducting of annual auditing of the EU LRIT DC by the LRIT Co-ordinator (IMSO).
C.3.4 LRIT IDE
C.3.4 is responsible for the transfer, implementation and further development of the LRIT International Data Exchange (LRIT IDE) system. This includes: relevant contacts with IMSO, IMO and its ad-hoc LRIT Working Group; the back-up IDE provided by United States Coast Guard and other LRIT Data Centres; and the preparation and conducting of IDE annual auditing by the LRIT Co-ordinator (IMSO).
Tagline: Quality shipping, safer seas, cleaner oceansSet up in 2002, over 200 employeesHeadquartered in Lisbon, PortugalAnnual budget (2010): 54.33 million EUROne of 28 Agencies of the European Union