The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has signed a contract to provide pollution response capacity using the Limassol, Cyprus-based tanker Alexandria. The newly-contracted vessel considerably strengthens EMSA's oil-spill response coverage of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, a sensitive sea area given its proximity to major oil transport routes transiting the Suez Canal, and those originating in Black Sea and Middle-Eastern ports. EMSA selected Petronav Ship Management Limited, a Cypriot Company, to provide pollution response capacity through its tanker Alexandria. The Service Contract signed with Petronav has a duration of four years with a total value of 4.5 million euros, renewable once for an additional four years.