European Maritime Safety Agency

Key points

The EESC:

• welcomes the proposal to expand the activities of EMSA; however, it has serious doubts as to whether EMSA has the human and financial resources to perform these additional activities properly. The proposed increase in EMSA's resources is insufficient given the extent of the proposed increase in the Agency's tasks and the scale of the EU's ambitions for maritime policy.
• believes that the Agency could play a substantial role in supporting the training of Port State Control inspectors and officials of the Flag State Administrations to conduct targeted inspections as regards the implementation of seafarers' rights and working and living conditions on board ships.
• would like to see a more active and substantial participation and contribution by the social partners. This will improve EMSA's relations with external stakeholders and increase the visibility and transparency of the Agency's activities.