European maritime single window environment

SUMMARY OF:

Regulation (EU) 2019/1239 establishing a European maritime single window environment

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?

It introduces an interoperable European maritime single window environment (EMSWe) with harmonised interfaces*, to simplify reporting obligations* for ships arriving at, staying in and departing from European Union (EU) ports.
It aims to improve the European maritime transport sector’s competitiveness and efficiency by reducing administrative burden, introducing digital components and services to harmonise the existing national systems and reduce the need for paperwork.

KEY POINTS

The EMSWe is the legal and technical framework for the electronic transmission of information about reporting obligations for ships calling at EU ports. It is a network of maritime national single windows* with harmonised reporting interfaces and includes data exchanges using SafeSeaNet and other systems, along with services for:

user registry and access management,
common addressing service,
EMSWe ship database,
common location database,
common hazardous material database,
ship sanitation database.

Establishing the common EMSWe dataset

The regulation maintains the existing maritime national single window in each EU Member State as the basis for a technologically neutral and interoperable EMSWe.

The European Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts to establish a new common EMSWe dataset, incorporating and adapting the most relevant requirements in existing national or EU legislation. Member States must notify the Commission of any reporting obligations and requirements stemming from national legislation and any data elements they wish to be included in the EMSWe dataset.

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/205 supplements Regulation (EU) 2019/1239 by creating a new Annex I, which brings together all information that a ship must provide when it calls at a port. This allows for more efficient sharing and reuse of data, reduces the administrative burden for declarants and improves the exchange of data between national authorities. The delegated regulation also sets out the EMSWe dataset provided for under Article 3 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1239 in a new Annex II. This takes into account existing mandatory reporting set out in EU, international and national legislation.

Harmonised reporting interfaces

The Commission will adopt implementing acts laying down the functional and technical specifications for the harmonised reporting interface module for the maritime national single windows, aiming for them to be interoperable with different user technologies and reporting systems.

Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/204 lays down technical specifications, standards and procedures for the EMSWe.

Once-only principle

The Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic provides that public authorities must in all cases require only essential reporting information and keep the number of items to a minimum. Under the regulation, Member States must ensure that ship operators are asked to provide any required information only once per port call, and that relevant supplied data are retained for reuse.

Common services

As components of the EMSWe, the Commission establishes:

a common user registry and access-management system for declarants and for data service providers in cases where authentication is required;
an additional and optional common addressing service, provided that the harmonised reporting interface module has been fully implemented;
a ship database containing a list of vessel identification information and characteristics, along with records on ship reporting exemptions;
a common location database containing a reference list of location codes and port facility codes listed in the International Maritime Organization’s Global Integrated Shipping Information System database;
a common hazardous material database containing a list of dangerous and polluting goods that must be notified;
a common ship sanitation database that is able to receive and store data on maritime declarations of health;
a multiannual implementation plan, revised annually.

The Commission adopts and revises on a yearly basis, following appropriate consultations of Member States’ experts, a multiannual implementation plan.

Each Member State designates a competent national authority with a legal mandate to act as a national coordinator for the EMSWe.

The regulation does not affect the exchange of information between customs authorities, or between customs authorities and businesses, using the electronic data-processing techniques referred to in Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 on the Union Customs Code (see summary).

Repeal

Regulation (EU) 2019/1239 repeals Directive 2010/65/EU (see summary) as of 15 August 2025.

FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?

It applies from 15 August 2025.

BACKGROUND

For further information, see:

European maritime single window environment (European Commission)
European maritime single window environment (EMSWe) (European Maritime Safety Agency).

KEY TERMS

Harmonised reporting interface module. A middleware (software) component of the maritime national single window through which information can be exchanged between the information system used by the declarant and the relevant maritime national single window.

Reporting obligation. The information required by EU, international and national legislation and requirements (referred to in the Annex) which has to be provided in connection with a port call.

Maritime national single window. A nationally established and operated technical platform for receiving, exchanging and forwarding information electronically to fulfil reporting obligations, including management of access rights, a harmonised reporting interface module and a graphical user interface, and links with the relevant authorities’ systems and databases at the national and EU levels.

MAIN DOCUMENT

Regulation (EU) 2019/1239 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 establishing a European Maritime Single Window environment and repealing Directive 2010/65/EU (OJ L 198, 25.7.2019, pp. 64–87).