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Maritime Security: update from the
European Commission
Christian Dupont
Deputy Head of Unit / DG Mobility and Transport A4
European Commission
EAASP annual conference – Dubrovnik, 29 April 2014
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What’s new since the
Gibraltar meeting?
• Year of transition
• Little appetite from Member States transport authorities for
changes (see what happened to our studies)
• Focus on conformity checking and the reality of the
implementation of existing legislation (Regulation on ship and
port facility security, Directive on port security, Recommendation
on ship self protection against piracy and ARAS).
• Inspections and infringement proceedings
• Awaiting now the outcomes off the elections for the EP and the
nomination of the new College of Commissioners.
• To be noted : the initiative for the definition of an European Union
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Maritime Security Strategy (EUMSS).
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Joint Communication on
elements for a European
Union Maritime Security
Strategy (EUMSS).
• Joint Communication JOIN(2014) 9 final of
6.3.2014
• Why Joint? Why final?
• Currently under examination by the Council
of the EU
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Joint Communication on elements for a European
Union Maritime Security Strategy (EUMSS).
Content:
• Identification of :
• Maritime security interests
• Maritime security threats
• Purpose of the strategy
• Organisation of the EU response: “building and
improving on existing achievements”
• Conclusion and follow up
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Maritime security interests
The prevention of conflicts, the preservation of peace and
the strengthening of international security through
engagement with international partners. This promotes
international maritime cooperation and the rule of law,
facilitates maritime trade and contributes to sustainable
development.
The protection of the EU against maritime security threats
including the protection of critical maritime infrastructure
such as ports and terminals, off-shore installations,
underwater pipelines, telecommunications cables, scientific
research and innovation projects and other economic
activities at sea.
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Maritime security interests
Effective control of the Union’s maritime external
borders to prevent illegal activities.
The protection of the global EU supply chain, the
freedom of navigation, right of innocent passage of
ships flying the flags of EU Member States and the
safety and security of their seafarers and
passengers.
The prevention of illegal, unregulated and
unreported (IUU) fishing.
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Maritime security threats
Territorial maritime disputes, acts of aggression
and armed conflict between States.
The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,
including chemical, biological, radiological and
nuclear threats.
Maritime piracy and armed robbery at sea.
Terrorism and other intentional unlawful acts
against ships, cargo and passengers, ports and
port facilities and critical maritime infrastructure,
including cyber-attacks on information systems.
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Maritime security threats
Cross-border and organised crime including seaborne
trafficking of arms, narcotics and human beings, as well as
IUU fishing.
Potential consequences to the environment of illegal
discharges or accidental marine pollution.
Potential impacts of natural disasters, extreme events and
climate change on the maritime transport system and in
particular on the maritime infrastructure.
Conditions at sea and in the coastal zone that weaken the
potential for growth and jobs in the marine and maritime
sectors.
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Purpose of the strategy
Make best use of existing capabilities at national
and European level
Promote effective and credible partnerships in the
global maritime domain
Promote cost efficiency
Enhance solidarity among Member States
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Organising the EU response: building and
..
..
.
improving on existing achievements
External action
Maritime awareness, surveillance and information
sharing
Capability development and capacity building
Risk management, protection of critical maritime
infrastructure and crisis response
Maritime security research and innovation,
education and training
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
Joint Communication on elements for
a European Union Maritime Security
Strategy (EUMSS).
• What future for this proposal ?
“Such a strategy would not seek to create
new structures, programmes or legislation,
but would
strive to build upon and strengthen existing
achievements. Consistency with existing EU
policies should be ensured »

Joint Communication on elements for
a European Union Maritime Security
Strategy (EUMSS).
• What future for this proposal ?
Greek Presidency of the Council of the EU
currently reworking on the basis of our
proposal
Intent: to adopt by June 2014 a EUMSS in the
form of « a non-legislative, non-legally binding
informal document » by consensus
Forthcoming Italian Presidency to take over
and to prepare specific implementation plans
by December 2014.
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Maritime transport
Security policy
.
.
Member States lack of appetite for
upgrading/updating legislation
Should this lead to :
- No nead to invest EU mooney in grants and
studies?
- Free way for PPP or simply private
initiatives?(e.g. CSO Alliance)?
Let’s hope better weather at the end of this year….
.
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..
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..
..
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Studies and grants
Technical aspects of port security (TAPS)
Recognised Security Organizations (RSO)
European Port Access Identification Card (EPAIC)
Non – Solas ships
Handbook for drills and exercices
Exchange of security information amongst ports
(ESPIEN).
Manning levels
IED on passengers ships and ro-ro ferries
Vulnerability of gas carriers and other tankers.
The published studies are available on:
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/maritime/studies/index_en.htm
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Any question?
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Thank you for
your attention
Christian Dupont
Deputy Head of Unit
Maritime Security
European Commission
DG MOVE A4
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