Within the implemenation of the bilateral actions component of the Black and Caspian Sea regions Project, an EMSA representative participated as an observer to the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) audit carried out in Turkmenistan from 15 to 24 June 2019.

The audit was held at the premises of the State Administration on Supervision of Navigation of Turkmenistan in Turkmenbashi and was conducted by a team of IMO auditors from Turkey, Kazakhstan, and from the IMO Secretariat.

All authorities which are involved in the implementation and enforcement of the provisions of the various mandatory IMO instruments were audited in the areas of Flag, Coastal and Port State obligations.

The objective of the participation of EMSA as an observer was intended to explore areas of technical support that could be provided to the Maritime Administration of Turkmenistan to address those audit findings falling within the components of the BCSEA Project for a rapid and appropriate closing of the relevant gaps. The good cooperation between EMSA and Turkmenistan as well as the open approach to the audit by the Turkmen authorities are considered as a perfect starting point to speed up this process.