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Marine pollution from ships and gas and oil installations
In July 2014, the EU adopted a law which guarantees funding for the work of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) to fight pollution at sea for the 2014-20 period.
ACT
Regulation (EU) No 911/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 on multiannual funding for the action of the European Maritime Safety Agency in the field of response to marine pollution caused by ships and oil and gas installations.
SUMMARY
In July 2014, the EU adopted a law which guarantees funding for the work of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) to fight pollution at sea for the 2014-20 period.
EMSA was originally set up to ensure high levels of safety at sea and to prevent and deal with pollution from ships, such as leaks of oil and dangerous substances. In 2013, EMSA’s remit was extended to cover pollution from oil and gas installations.
WHAT DOES THE REGULATION DO?
It provides funding to enable EMSA to fulfil its tasks of responding to marine pollution. It explicitly states that EMSA’s existence should not relieve countries from their responsibility of having the necessary mechanisms in place.
KEY POINTS
The funding allows EMSA to invest in:
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specialised ships and equipment which would be on stand-by to assist when called upon;
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satellite images and equipment to detect pollution and to help plan how to address it.
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EMSA’s main tasks are to:
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work closely with and provide the European Commission and EU countries with technical and scientific assistance to fight pollution;
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analyse and disseminate best practices and expertise;
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coordinate its activities with existing regional cooperation agreements;
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maintain the European satellite oil monitoring service (Cleanseanet), which helps to detect pollution early and to identify the ships and installations responsible.
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The countries affected request EMSA's assistance via the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism.
EMSA will also encourage non-EU countries that share a regional sea basin with the EU to pool information about their ships and equipment and provide details of their response mechanisms and capabilities.
FUNDING
€160.5 million. EMSA pays for the contracts for the stand-by vessels and equipment, however, the countries affected pay for the costs of clean-up operations in their waters.
WHEN DOES THIS REGULATION APPLY?
1 January 2014 until 31 December 2020.
BACKGROUND
See the EMSA website.
REFERENCES
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Act |
Entry into force |
Deadline for transposition in the Member States |
Official Journal |
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Regulation (EU) No 911/2014 |
29.8.2014 |
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RELATED ACTS
Regulation (EC) No 1406/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 June 2002 establishing a European Maritime Safety Agency (OJ L 208, 5.8.2002, pp. 1-9).
Regulation (EC) No 724/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004 amending Regulation (EC) No 1406/2002 establishing a European Maritime Safety Agency (OJ L 129, 29.4.2004, pp. 1-5).
Regulation (EU) No 100/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January 2013 amending Regulation (EC) No 1406/2002 establishing a European Maritime Safety Agency (OJ L 39, 9.2.2013, pp. 30-40).
Decision No 1313/2013/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on a Union Civil Protection Mechanism (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, pp. 924-947).
Last updated: 08.12.2014