What are EMSA’s pollution response services?

The activities of the Agency in the field of marine pollution preparedness and response were initially focussed on responding to ship-source marine pollution, firstly oil pollution (Action Plan 2004) and then pollution by hazardous and noxious substances (Action Plan 2007).
As of 1 March 2013, with the entry into force of Regulation (EU) No 100/2013, EMSA also has a mandate to respond to marine pollution caused by oil and gas installations (Action Plan 2013).
The main services are:

• the Network of Stand-by Oil Spill Response Vessels distributed along the European coastline;
• CleanSeaNet: the satellite based oil spill and vessel detection and monitoring service;
• the MAR-ICE (Marine Intervention in Chemical Emergencies) Network to support with expertise in cases of marine pollution incidents involving chemicals;
• consultation with experts to support assessment, planning and coordination of response operations.
• EMSA also cooperates on pollution response matters mainly with the EU Commission, EU Member States, Regional Agreements and other relevant international organisations such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO). This includes the provision of information through publications and workshops.