EMSA hosted the 19th meeting of the CISE Stakeholder Group on 2-3 June 2026, in Lisbon and online, bringing together maritime authorities, EU agencies and European Commission services to advance Europe’s trusted network for secure cross-sector maritime information sharing. 

EMSA and DG MARE co-chaired the meeting, with DG MOVE reaffirming its continued support. With CISE well established, the shared focus is now from “building CISE” to “using CISE”, with growing operational exchanges, wider participation and advancing interoperability efforts. Participants also emphasised that effective information sharing relies on the combination of technology, governance and trust.

Several stakeholders are already leading the way, championing CISE within their administrations and making the most of what it offers. New expressions of interest from Ireland, Luxembourg, Romania and the EU naval force’s Operation IRINI signal a widening circle. Every authority that joins, and every new exchange that is established, adds value for the whole community.

Participants shared their operational needs and discussed how to build further on CISE’s capabilities. Embedding CISE into national Standard Operating Procedures is seen as the way to move from occasional use to a routine part of how maritime authorities work and share information day to day.

A core strength of CISE is that it brings information into the systems authorities already use, rather than requiring new ones. Progress is being made towards interoperability with three key EU maritime information systems:

• SafeSeaNet, the EU platform for vessel traffic and maritime safety information

• MARSUR, the European maritime surveillance network

• EUROSUR, the European Border Surveillance System

Connecting these systems with CISE will mean richer maritime pictures and information that can serve operational needs across sectors.

Progress was also shared on a range of information exchange possibilities, including the dissemination of data on sanctioned vessels and Satellite-based services for monitoring GNSS interference. The latest CISE node version introduces a new chat function to support direct communication between connected authorities.

The classified network is a key focus for 2026. The meeting received an update on technical progress and the steps being taken to support Member State readiness, as work advances towards making classified information exchange a fully operational part of the CISE offer.

Breakout sessions brought together authorities from the Baltic and Black Seas, North Sea and Atlantic Coast, and Mediterranean to share experience, identify common needs and plan for joint exercises, reinforcing the regional sea basin approach that gives CISE its operational depth.

A structured training programme, available at beginner and advanced level, was also presented to support new and existing users in making the most of the network’s capabilities.