In 2009, the Commission asked the Agency to carry out monitoring visits to the Member States in relation to Directive 2002/59/EC on vessel traffic monitoring and information systems, following an analysis of replies to questionnaires and discussions of best practices.

Seven visits were foreseen in 2010, consistent with the programme of visits carried out in 2009 with the aim of completing the first cycle of visits in 2012. In order to provide the Commission with information on the level of implementation of this Directive by the Member States, the visits include interviews with the relevant competent authorities and inspections of selected coastal stations, Vessel Traffic Services and other vessel traffic monitoring infrastructure of the Member State visited.