EU MARSEC Handbook

EU MARSEC Handbook / EMSA V. 2024

ID 27255 | 08 Ottobre 2026 / Attached

EU MARSEC Handbook is the new name for the document formerly known as Interim Guidance on Maritime Security for Member States' Competent Authorities. 

This document has been produced in cooperation with DG MOVE. It is a practical guide to support MS in the implementation of EU regulation regarding maritime security. The content of this document is intended for the use of all personnel responsible for security in the EU maritime public and private sector. This document is updated annually.
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This document provides guidance to assist Member States in achieving a harmonised and effective implementation of Union law in the field of maritime security, particularly Regulation (EC) No 725/2004 of 31 March 2004 on enhancing ship and port facility security (hereinafter referred to as the Regulation) and Directive 2005/65/EC of 26 October 2005 on enhancing port security (hereinafter referred to as the Directive). In particular, this guidance focuses on administrative and control tasks that need to be executed by Member States’ Competent Authorities for maritime security in relation to the following areas: 

- Member State obligations;
- Role as flag State;
- Role of Recognised Security Organisations (RSOs); 
- Role as port State (i.e. Duly Authorised Officers, DAO);
- Port Facilities;
- Port Security; 
- Communication of information.  

In addition, this guidance aims to provide a pragmatic approach to the legislation that can be used by the different stakeholders implementing maritime security in the private and public sectors.

The ultimate goal is to harmonise at the highest level the approach to maritime security across the European Union. Therefore, a wide dissemination of the guidance among all relevant maritime security stakeholders in the private and public sectors is recommended.    

It should be noted that this document is not intended as a manual for ship and port / port facility security. It does not address every single aspect of this activity; such aspects are already covered by a vast array of literature published by various industry stakeholders. Instead, the added value of the document is to provide guidance on selected aspects of this activity, sharing the experience aquired during maritime security inspections led by the European Commission in Member States with the assistance of EMSA.

This allows to highlight key regulatory requirements, providing more clarity where possible, together with recommendations to fulfil those requirements, and best management practices already implemented by the stakeholders in different Membe States. In this, the guidance recalls considerations and interpretations agreed within the MARSEC Committee and takes into account IMO instruments as relevant. Member States are recommended to refer to these documents as necessary.

Moreover, since the work of all parties involved in maritime security in Member States and the work of the European Commission inspectors are a continuous progress, the outcomes showed in this document should be in continuous development.

Therefore, this is a living document that will be updated and developed as needed and at least on a yearly basis.  
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EMSA (European Maritime Safety Agency)

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	Descrizione	Lingua	Dimensioni	Downloads
	EU MARSEC Handbook V. 2024 EMSA 2024 Abbonati Full Plus	EN	946 kB	0