General
EMSA Consolidated Annual Activity Report 2023
Assessment by the EMSA Administrative Board
The EMSA Administrative Board’s assessment focuses on three main areas: strategic achievements, operational achievements, and the management of the Agency. This evaluation considers the relevant legal, strategic, and resource frameworks, as well as the annual work programme.
The Administrative Board appreciates the structure of the Consolidated Annual Activity Report 2023, which aligns with the EMSA Single Programming Document 2023-2025. Each activity is clearly linked to its legal basis and strategically contextualized through references to the EMSA Founding Regulation and the EMSA 5-year Strategy objectives. This demonstrates the consistency of annual activities with legislative tasks and the strategic outlook adopted by the Administrative Board. Additionally, the budget and staff allocation for each activity clarifies their relative impact on resources.
A) EMSA’s Strategic Achievements in 2023
The EMSA 5-year Strategy 2020-2024, which forms the basis of the Single Programming Document 2023-2025, outlines EMSA’s strategic priorities in the areas of Sustainability, Surveillance, Safety, Security, Simplification—the “5 S’s”—as well as Digitalisation and Technical & Operational Assistance. This strategy underscores EMSA’s vital role in supporting Commission priorities in EU policy areas related to the seas, enhancing Europe’s competitiveness, sustainable growth, and Blue Economy, while contributing to the EU’s security agenda and international profile.
The EMSA Single Programming Document 2023-2025 and the concrete actions planned under each of the “5 S’s” for 2023 were aligned with the strategic priorities of the 5-year Strategy. The Administrative Board acknowledges that the CAAR provides clear examples of EMSA’s achievements contributing to the realization of the multi-annual strategic priorities or “5 S’s” and the underlying 36 multi-annual strategic objectives.
The Administrative Board noted that overall, EMSA implemented the planned actions, making progress toward achieving the Agency’s strategic priorities.
In our view, the present report addresses the key deliverables of the Agency in 2023 and demonstrates that the objectives set, particularly for the five strategic priorities, were met.
The highlights of the strategic achievements in each work area in 2023 are outlined below:
- Sustainability: EMSA advanced initiatives promoting environmental sustainability in maritime operations, including projects focused on reducing emissions and enhancing marine biodiversity protection.
- Surveillance: The Agency improved maritime surveillance capabilities, integrating advanced technologies for better monitoring and security of EU waters.
- Safety: EMSA enhanced maritime safety protocols, contributing to lower accident rates and improved response strategies for maritime emergencies.
- Security: Efforts were made to bolster maritime security, addressing threats such as piracy and illegal trafficking through coordinated EU and international efforts.
- Simplification: EMSA streamlined regulatory processes, making compliance easier for stakeholders and reducing administrative burdens.
- Digitalisation: The Agency made significant strides in digitalizing maritime operations, facilitating better data sharing and operational efficiency across the maritime sector.
- Technical & Operational Assistance: EMSA provided critical support and expertise to EU Member States, helping them meet international maritime standards and obligations.
The Administrative Board concludes that the EMSA’s strategic achievements in 2023 reflect a successful alignment with the strategic priorities and objectives outlined in the 5-year Strategy.
