In the framework of the EU funded SAFEMED IV project, the 4th SAFEMED IV Steering Committee was successfully organised and held on-line on 5 November 2020. The  meeting is paramount to ensure a high level of cooperation and coordination between the project’s beneficiary countries, EMSA and all other entities involved in the Mediterranean basin.

Fourteen (14) participants from the project’s Beneficiary Countries, namely Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Palestine, Morocco and Tunisia attended the meeting. In addition, the Chair, representatives from the Secretariat of the Mediterranean Memorandum of Understanding on PSC (MED MoU) and from the Information Centre (CIMED) participated as observers. DG MOVE and DG MARE also attended and presented their respective goals and initiatives.

EMSA presented the activities conducted from September 2019 to October 2020 with a specific focus on the actions performed in each of the technical components: Flag State, Port State, VTMIS, Protection of marine environment, Human element in maritime safety and Maritime security, Security, Bilateral Activities and Communication. Emphasis was put on the launch of THETIS-Med the new database for MEDMOU which was made available in February 2020. EMSA ensured that despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Project, the Agency will continue in its effort to deliver high-quality technical and training activities shifting to distant learning and live broadcasting.

New activities which include gap analysis of the existing maritime legislation and support for transposition of IMO conventions and the support to develop and implement QMSs for maritime administrations were presented as available options for beneficiaries during the last year of implementation of the project.

Attending  beneficiaries presented their priorities and expectations for the timeframe 2020-2021, thus contributing to the Action Plan that was endorsed by the Steering Committee.