Following the measures adopted in the field of maritime safety, the European Commission has set up the High Level Steering Group on SafeSeaNet, whose creation has been published in the Official Journal of the EU on August 1st, 2009. Chaired by the European Commission and integrated by representatives from all Member States, the Group will support the development of SafeSeaNet system.

The Commission is responsible for the management and development at policy level of the central SafeSeaNet system and for the oversight of the SafeSeaNet system, in cooperation with Member States. According to this obligation, the Commission has adopted by Decision 2009/584/EC of July 31st 2009, the establishment of the High Level Steering Group on SafeSeaNet.

Main Tasks of  High Level Steering Group on SafeSeaNet

• To make recommendations to improve the effectiveness and security of SafeSeaNet.
• To provide appropriate guidance for the development of SafeSeaNet.
• To assist the Commission in reviewing the performance of SafeSeaNet.
• To approve the interface and functionalities control document referred to in point 2.3 of Annex III of Directive 2002/59/EC, and any amendments thereto.

The Group will be chaired by a representative designated by the European Commission and will also be made up by one representative of each Member State, all senior officials of their respective organizations. Member States will designate their representatives on the Group and their alternates for a term of three years renewable.

One representative from the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), which is responsible for the technical implementation of the SafeSeaNet system, in cooperation with the Member States and the Commission, will also attend the meetings as observer, representation which will be held at high level.

The Commission’s representative chairing the group may ask experts with specific competence on a subject on the agenda to participate in the group’s or sub-group’s discussion if this is useful and/or necessary.

The establishment of the High Level Steering Group on SafeSeaNet, appears as necessary to address strategic issues related to the future developments of the SafeSeaNet system, taking into account in particular the objectives of the integrated maritime policy of the European Union and the 2018 maritime transport policy objectives as set out in the Communication of the Commission on the strategic goals and recommendations for the EU’s maritime transport policy until 2018. It is also part of the measures adopted within the framework of the Erika III Package on Maritime Safety.