Brussels, 10/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - The funding of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has been guaranteed at €160.5 million for the financial period 2014-2020. An agreement was struck on the subject in inter-institutional trialogue on Friday7 March. This amount, which is applicable retrospectively from 1 January 2014, will be divided into annual envelopes. EMSA's new budget still has to be approved formally by the European Parliament at its April plenary session, and then by the Council.
This amount will allow the agency to carry out its monitoring and clean-up activities on marine pollution caused by vessels. It will also cover new responsibilities conferred upon the agency, which extend its responsibilities to pollution caused by oil rigs at sea.
States affected by marine pollution can request the assistance of the agency's fleet of anti-pollution vessels to clean up their coastlines. These vessels, which are networked, can intervene rapidly in addition to national capabilities. EMSA also has a satellite system for the monitoring and detection of oil spills (CleanSeaNet). (MD)