As one of the first actions for the SAFEMED V project, a team of auditors composed of an external expert and two EMSA staff, the Agency conducted a mock audit of Israel’s maritime administration from 5 to 8 December in preparation for the actual audit due to be carried out in 2024 by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) within the context of the Member States Audit Scheme (IMSAS). Consequently, the audit covered the responsibilities of Israel as a Contracting Government, a flag State, a coastal State, and a port State as defined in the IMO Instruments Implementation (III) Code.

The audit was conducted at the premises of the Israeli Administration for Shipping and Ports (ASP) and comprised both face-to-face meetings and teleconferences with other competent authorities. Additionally, the auditors visited the port of Haifa for on-site interviews with port personnel.

In customary fashion, the audit commenced with the opening meeting attended by all relevant parties where the audit team, plan, and process were introduced and concluded with the presentation of the audit results during the closing meeting held on the final day. Throughout the audit, full assistance and cooperation was extended to the auditors by the ASP which greatly contributed to the positive outcome of the action.