First Director for European Maritime Safety Agency

He arrives in the post as the EC responds to the aftershocks of the Prestige sinking and resulting oilspill disaster along the Spanish coast with a renewed determination to pursue international co-operation on maritime safety and formulate a places of refuge policy for ships in distress. The EC will also push for the IMO to progress a Flag State Implementation Code and a Model Audit Scheme at meetings scheduled for this year.

EMSA was set up by the European Parliament last June and will be fully operational in the second half of this year. Its role is to improve all maritime safety arrangements in the EU and reduce the risks of maritime accidents, marine pollution and loss of life at sea. The Agency will support the efforts of the Commission, the Member States and candidate countries and will evaluate the effectiveness of maritime safety measures put in place.

Until such time as the European Council takes a decision on the location of EMSA, the Commision will provide it with temporary accommodation in Brussels.

MJ Information No: 17957