On 3 June 2004, the European Commission requested technical input from the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) to support new legislative proposals on maritime safety. Subsequently, a report was prepared to show how EU member states had organised their maritime administrations and how the respective bodies had implemented their obligations under the international conventions and EU legislation, relating to safety at sea and pollution prevention from ships. Information about Icelandic and Norwegian maritime administrations was also included.

Since the first delivery of this report in 2004, the number of EU member states has grown from 25 to 28 (Bulgaria and Romania joined the European Union on 1 January 2007, and Croatia joined on 1 July 2013).

New pieces of legislation have also come into force at international and European level which in some cases have led to changes in the organisation of certain EU maritime administrations.
The latest version for each administration contains the following:

• Contact points
• Status of Conventions
• IMO Audit Scheme
• STCW Recognitions
• Recognised Organisations & functions delegated
• Performance and composition of the fleet
• Number of surveyors & investigators
• Port Reception Facilities