EMSA given broader powers for digital maritime threats
A new EU agreement gives EMSA the power to assist with cybersecurity, green transition and emerging maritime threats across European waters.
The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) is set to take on an expanded role in maritime security, following a provisional agreement between the European Parliament and the Council.
Instead of focusing solely on traditional safety tasks, EMSA will now help tackle modern challenges, including cyber attacks and hybrid threats that increasingly target critical maritime infrastructure across Europe.
The updated mandate enables EMSA to support EU member states and the European Commission with technical, operational and scientific assistance in areas such as cybersecurity, pollution response, maritime surveillance and decarbonisation.
Rather than remaining confined to its original scope, the agency may also adopt new responsibilities as risks evolve, provided such tasks are requested by the Commission or individual countries.
The move forms part of a broader EU legislative package aimed at reinforcing maritime safety rules, improving environmental protections and updating inspection procedures.
The reforms ensure EMSA is equipped with adequate human and financial resources to handle its wider remit and contribute to strategic resilience in an increasingly digital and geopolitically unstable world.
Created in 2002 and based in Lisbon, EMSA plays a central role in safeguarding maritime transport, which remains vital for Europe’s economy and trade.
With more than 2,000 marine incidents reported annually, the agency’s modernised mandate is expected to strengthen the EU’s ability to prevent disruptions at sea and support its broader green and security goals.
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