Maritime Safety and Security in the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea region
The TRACECA Maritime Safety & Security II project funded by the European Commission, with a budget of EUR 3 million, benefited a multitude of countries. The project’s objective was to support Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan, with Bulgaria and Romania as indirect beneficiaries, in the further ratification and implementation of international maritime safety and security conventions. It aimed to improve the level of quality and coordination of maritime administrations in the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea partner countries. The activities led to making shipping safer, more secure and environment friendly.
Implementation
Overall, NTU delivered over 50 missions and events and had over 600 attendees to various seminars, workshops, trainings, and meetings. A major element was the evaluation and improvement of the security of ships and ports. We organised an annual workshop set up to exchange experiences and best practices on maritime security issues. An aspect of this particular component focused on identifying the maritime security requirements of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) for both ships and port facilities. These requirements were determined by the beneficiaries, based on analysis and evaluation of existing gaps and the potential for implementing best practices. Next, 4-day workshops were held, with lectures on port safety and security risk areas and implementation possibilities, as well as a training course in instructing maritime security for port personnel. Their participants included the Chief Port Security Officers, Port Inspectors and Chiefs of Maritime Transport.
Impact
- Strengthening the relationship between the beneficiaries – Thanks to the active participation of in workshops, each beneficiary was able to convey individual and common struggles as well as discuss possible solutions to the problems.
- Improved transparency of information – The presence of an EU representative allowed the beneficiaries to benefit from the newest information and analyses of actions taken at the EU level, e.g., updates to any international regulations.
- Creation of common security regulations – The beneficiaries were also able to create regulations common for all, considering aspects significant to each and all of the beneficiaries.
SDGs
