IP/14/439 Brussels, 15 April 2014

The European Parliament adopted today a financial package of €160.5 million for a period of over seven years (2014-2020) for the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) to allow continued action to combat marine pollution. This vote follows an informal agreement reached with the Council in March and shows the support and confidence in the European system to combat pollution at sea
established in EMSA. This system which has proven its added-value and cost-efficiency relies on satellite services to detect pollution and a network of specialised anti-pollution vessels available to Member States to recover pollutants.

Siim Kallas, Vice-President responsible for Transport said: "The European system to combat pollution at sea has proven its added-value and cost-efficiency. I welcome the European Parliament's continued support for the effective work carried out by the European Maritime Safety Agency".