MARITIME SAFETY

Results from
the transport research programme

EUROPEAN
COMMISSION
 This brochure was produced by the EXTRA consortium for DG Energy and Transport and represents
the consortium’s views on research relating to maritime safety. These views have not been adopted or in
any way approved by the Commission and should not be relied upon as a statement of the Commission's
or DG Energy and Transport's views.

The European Commission does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this brochure,
nor does it accept responsibility for any use made thereof.

Frequently used acronyms

FSA Formal Safety Assessment
ISC Integrated Ship Control
ISM International Safety Management [code]
MET Maritime Education and Training
RIS River Information Services
STCW 95 Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers – 1995
VTMIS Vessel Traffic Management and Information Services
VTS Vessel Traffic Services

Additional information on the transport research programme is available on the Internet.

The programme’s Knowledge Centre (http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/extra/home.html)
provides:
• structured guides to the results and projects for particular topics;
• summaries and final reports of individual projects;
• access to project web sites and other contact details.

References to some projects are included in this brochure, to help the reader access
further information quickly through the Knowledge Centre.

Information on the wider transport activities of the European Union is also available
on the Internet. It can be accessed through the Europa server
(http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/energy_transport/index_en.html).
Manuscript completed in August 2001.
Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 2001
ISBN 92-894-1551-7
© European Communities, 2001
Cover pictures: Eureka Slide
Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.
Printed in Belgium.
 MARITIME SAFETY

THE NEED FOR RESEARCH

In this brochure, discover how research can contribute
to safer waterborne transport operations, and identify
topics worth investigating further on the web.

W
aterborne transport is a key player
in worldwide economics and
a fundamental tool in the shaping of
global society. More than 70 percent of
the European Union's external trade and
some 30 percent of the internal trade is
today handled by maritime transport.
It certainly represents an alternative to
congested road or delayed rail traffic.

But growth in waterborne traffic has to be

supported by more efficient transport
chains, linking shipping to its ultimate
destinations onshore. In addition,
the tendency towards non-EU low cost flags
with far less stringent requirements has led
to growing concerns about ship safety,
environmental protection and the declining
employment opportunities in the industry.
In the 21st century it is clear that the quality
of waterborne operations has to keep up
and even improve its record on safety and
protection of the environment1. A continuous
dialogue with the maritime industry is
needed on voluntary measures to promote
safety, together with the creation of
a business environment in which
quality-minded operators are rewarded.
The framework for maritime safety research2
has been established through a number of
policy communications and legal instruments.
In the wake of the Erika accident, the
European Commission proposed recently a
number of more detailed actions to improve
the safety of maritime oil transport. Some of
the measures advocated by the European
Commission for which research plays an
important role are:
• improved identification and monitoring of
all ships approaching and sailing in
European waters and ports;
• simplified and harmonised procedures for
the provision and use of information on
hazardous or polluting freight, through
the use of electronic data interchange
(EDI);
• the mandatory use of voyage data recorders
(maritime black boxes) and automatic
identification systems to facilitate accident
investigation and traffic monitoring and
control;
• the establishment of common databases
and methodologies for maritime safety
and accident investigation
Supporting research has concentrated on
developing operational and technological
concepts capable of meeting the changing
needs of the demand side while enhancing
safety and the protection of the environment.
In parallel, networking activities have
spread knowledge to interested parties all
over Europe and this has facilitated the
innovation process. This brochure highlights
some of the key results in this area.
Its purpose is to raise awareness of
the information and decision support that
is now available, and to encourage readers
to obtain further details through
a web-based Knowledge Centre
(http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/
extra/home.html).

2 3
 KEY RESULTS
Research projects have a significant impact on
the design and implementation of maritime safety policy.
Some of the success stories are highlighted here.
User friendly and safe
ship control centres
A
dvanced Integrated Ship Control
(ISC) systems are seen as vital in
improving the competitiveness and
safety of ship operations. Research
and development has been carried out into
the design requirements of ship control
Maritime Black Box
Marine accidents continue to result in
heavy loss of life and serious damage to
the environment. One important aspect
in the investigation, hence in
the prevention of accidents is
the identification and analysis of the
causal chain. The installation of maritime
Casualty analysis
Improving the consistency and collection of
maritime accident data has been the target
© Eureka Slide
centres, paying special attention to layout,
ergonomics and human factors. This has
contributed significantly to the enhanced
design of ship control centres from both
the safety and the efficiency viewpoint.
It has also fostered the establishment of
a common European industrial platform
in support of an open systems’ architecture
for ships.
"black boxes" on board ships will greatly
improve the supply of reliable information.
Research in this area has contributed
significantly not only in developing
the concept but also in specifying the
testing standards of such equipment.
of a European-wide networking action on
casualty analysis. The network established
the basis for a common European approach
to the investigation of accidents and incidents.
Vessel Traffic Management and
Information Services (VTMIS)
A research network on Vessel Traffic
Management and Information Services
(VTMIS) has established a consensus at
European level on the concept of VTMIS.
The action identified to what extent the
development of information interchanges
and value-added services beyond the well-
known Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) is likely
to enhance the safety and efficiency of
waterborne traffic as well as the protection
of the environment.
 MARITIME SAFETY

AREAS OF RESEARCH

T
he main aim of research into
waterborne transport has been to
help policy-makers and to provide
the industry with safe, efficient and
competitive ways to carry freight and
passengers. In total, 55 research projects
and concerted actions were commissioned,
with a total EU contribution of 50 million
Euro. The research actions were divided into
five clusters:
• development of logistic concepts
and systems;
• introduction of innovative designs,
technologies and working practices for
safer ship operations;
• development of efficient traffic management
systems for sea and river operations;
• education, human factors and improvements
to the working environment; and © Eureka Slide, Louagie

• reduction in environmental risks and

the promotion of environmentally friendly
operations.
Safer and more efficient shipping operations
have been a constant issue in waterborne
transport research. This has been addressed
pro-actively by elaborating concepts and
tools based on risk analysis, formal safety
assessment and accident investigation;
proposing and demonstrating concepts
and standards in areas such as Integrated
Ship Control; developing an enhanced
approach to coastal traffic management and
ship monitoring; as well as conducting
extensive research on the human element
as an essential factor in maritime safety.
The research results are progressively
providing stakeholders with a greatly
improved basis for decision-making, in
particular contributing to policy development
and implementation in four main areas:
Integrated ship control
Developing a standard and recommendations
on layout for future ship bridges, tactical
information displays and more user-friendly
working environments, based on an open
and interoperable architecture.
Safety in ship operations and
environmental protection
Assessing safety risks related to operational
shortcomings, human failure, vessel design
deficits and the transport of dangerous cargo.

The human element in safety

Addressing the need for harmonised
education of seafarers, common curricula,
the optimum use of simulators and
modern training tools.

Enhanced information services

Promoting interconnected and interoperable
© Eureka Slide, M. Merne

vessel traffic management and information

services that will help to establish
a competitive waterborne transport
infrastructure.

4 5
INTEGRATED
SHIP CONTROL
R
esearch has contributed
significantly to the enhanced design
of ship control centres in terms of
both safety and efficiency, while
User-friendly and safe ship
control centres 3
A conceptual standard has been
produced for the design of ship control
centres, based on an open architecture.
This includes recommendations on the
layout of future ship bridges, human-
machine interface considerations, and
a so-called "tactical display" combining
As mentioned previously, the transport
research programme has played an important
role in developing the concept of maritime
The Maritime Black Box 4
Based on an inventory of international
accident statistics, contributory factors,
and the performance requirements for
voyage data recorders, the concept of
a Maritime Black Box has been defined.
The modular black box concept
encompasses:
Courtesy of Thomson CSF Detexis
paying special attention to the integration
of information, ergonomics and human
factors.
sea and weather routing and anti-collision
information tools. This conceptual
standard has been subjected to cost-
benefit and safety analyses, including
a risk assessment for collision and fire
ignition scenarios. The ISC (Integrated
Ship Control) concept has been
evaluated and confirmed against
specific considerations of interoperability.
"black boxes" for recording data on board
ships, and in particular in the specification
and testing of such devices.
 a recording unit,
 an accident parameter acquisition
unit, and
 land-based evaluation software for
the recovery and interpretation of
recorded data.
The system has been tested and validated
in a dedicated research project. Its
performance in meeting the specifications
was confirmed through scenario-based
simulations and laboratory tests. Sea
trials on a medium-size passenger liner
have further underlined the operational
suitability and robustness of the
prototype. The results obtained in the
tests and sea trials strongly contributed
to the definition of testing standards for
these devices.
In addition a legal framework for
the implementation of the concept was
elaborated, including the analysis of
unresolved questions such as certification
and periodic inspection.

Research has also established a common
European approach in support of an open
Implementing a European standard for ship control systems 5
© Eureka Slide, Michaux
Research showed that the design and
use of an Integrated Ship Control (ISC)
system cannot be separated from the
specification, design, construction and
operation of the entire ship. The ISC
system needs to be customised for each
specific type and size of vessel, as well as
for typical operational tasks. Hence its
design needs to start very early in the
overall ship design process, as it will
define the global information system’s
architecture.
MARITIME SAFETY
architecture for complete ship systems.
The foundation has been laid for a single,
open European standard for Integrated
Ship Control. This concept – anticipated
to be later adopted world-wide –
encompasses marine automation
hardware, advanced software and
human factor issues associated with
maritime transport. It follows a user-
centred design approach towards the
command and control of vessels, and
integrates comprehensive requirements
for the validation of Ship Control Centre
layout and functions. It needs to be
stressed that ISC will define and reflect
the information strategy for human
operators.
The long-term prospects for introducing
the ISC standard at European and
international levels have been assessed.
In particular, the commercial viability of
the concept, its benefits to the shipping
industry and its technical feasibility have
been demonstrated. Most importantly,
spin-off effects from the implementation
of ISC have been confirmed, in that
the system provides the required
infrastructure for additional technological
aid to ship operations such as the
maritime black box or cargo tracking
and tracing applications.
6 7
 SAFETY IN SHIP OPERATIONS
AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
S
chemes for analysing common
accidents and incidents in maritime
operations have been lacking
adequate attention to human and
organisational errors. Hence research has
developed methodologies for unbiased
data compilation and assessment with
the aim of a better integration of human
factors into accident investigations.
Casualty analysis 6
A coherent approach towards
a harmonised methodology for the
investigation of incidents and accidents,
as well as general safety and risk
considerations, have been elaborated
in two research activities.
A networking activity has assessed current
working practices and methodologies
for accident investigation. These are
commonly based on the creation of self-
standing accident and incident databases.
© Central Audio-visual Library, European Commission
Best practice examples of methodologies
for accident investigation were identified
and synthesised into a set of guidelines,
comparing the opinions of experts from
around Europe. In addition, best practice
examples of training for accident
investigators were collected.
Subsequently, a framework was developed
to adopt the principles of the confidential
hazardous incident reporting scheme –
CHIRP – applied in the aviation sector
for the investigation of maritime
incidents. This includes guideline
documents addressing the requirements
for accident data gathering and obtaining
vessel and traffic statistics.
In parallel, an improved accident
investigation methodology has been
developed, building on lessons from
previous investigations, and in particular
emphasising the human and
organisational errors. A methodology for
accident recording and analysis was
formulated, as well as a structure for
encoding information in a database.
The new approach was tested on a set
of typical accident scenarios and
real-life cases, and evaluated by
cost-benefit analysis.
 MARITIME SAFETY

The promotion of a safety culture based on the adoption of the International Safety
a pro-active approach is considered essential Management (ISM) code and the use of
to improve safety in maritime transport. safety assessment techniques in the
This approach has been pursued through development of new rules and regulations.

Formal Safety and

Environmental Assessment (FSA) 7
A networking action was initiated to
establish a common knowledge of
methods for assessing the safety and
environmental impacts of ships, and a
shared understanding of how to apply
the different methods.The action focused
on the following areas:
 data availability and suggestions
for an accident/incident reporting
scheme;
 the integration of human and
organisational factors in safety and
environmental assessment methods;

© Eureka Slide, Van Loo

 the regulatory requirements and
techniques for rule-making; and
 factors related to the environmental
sensitivity of marine areas.
in particular in the areas of risk
The work showed that a common acceptance criteria, risk management
approach to safety and environmental and communication, organisational
assessment requires further refinement, changes, human factors and databases.

Extensive international efforts have been
made to improve the safety of ship
operations and prevent maritime pollution.
Research has supported these efforts
through applying formal safety assessment
for selected cases of dangerous cargo
transport, hence improving the knowledge
base to help prevent future operational and
accidental pollution.

Applying Formal Safety the transport of liquefied petroleum

Assessment and preventing
environmental damage 8
A set of case studies on the
transportation of dangerous goods led
to the following results:
 an elaborated safety assessment
philosophy which makes it possible to
consider individual ships and their
installations when developing tailored
safety management systems, in
accordance with the ISM Code;
 lessons from the "Amoco Cadiz" crude
oil tanker accident,
gas in the Mediterranean Sea, and
the shipment of containers in
the North Sea;
 a safety assessment for these three
case studies;
 a model for quantitative risk
evaluation for the transport of
dangerous goods in the categories
crude oil, liquefied petroleum gas and
container service; and
 recommendations for the use of
safety assessment in generating risk
control measures.

8 9
© Eureka Slide, S. Domelounksen
The majority of shipping accidents and
related environmental damage can be
attributed to operational procedures and
human factors. Safety regulations are not
always addressing all risks of maritime
Risk assessment 9
The assessment of the levels of risk of
maritime accidents in busy coastal
waters, like the North Sea, as well as
the identification of adequate control
options, have been addressed
extensively. Based on the evaluation of
historical accident data, a Marine
Accident Risk Calculation System
(MARCS) was developed that enables
the quantification of risk levels for specific
maritime operations and the effect of
risk control measures. A set of specific
risk models is now available that cover
aspects ranging from communication
with Vessel Traffic Services (VTS), ship
manoeuvring capabilities and navigational
aids, to human and organisational factors,
such as training schemes for crews.
operations. To improve this situation,
maritime policies, rules and regulations
have to be reconsidered in order to ensure
a uniform safety level.
Subsequent work used these risk
models to improve bridge and ship
communications and data interpretation,
and provided:
 a review of problems with maritime
communication and information
exchange;
 a structured hazard identification
process for the evaluation of risk
control measures;
 test runs with maritime simulators to
assess risk control measures, leading
to improved training schemes for
crew members; and
 fault tree models for assessing
the effectiveness of risk control
measures and quantifying related
implementation costs.

THE HUMAN ELEMENT
IN SAFETY
T
he European maritime industry is
facing various difficulties.
The reduction in European flagged
tonnage has reduced career
opportunities in the industry, consequently
recruitment has been difficult and insufficient
to meet industry needs. There has been
strong price competition leading to an
emphasis on cost reduction, which puts at
risk current efforts to improve safety, quality
and environmental performance.
Management, organisation and working environment 10
Research efforts have addressed
management aspects and better
interaction on board vessels.
Among the outputs have been:
 the specification of advanced
management tools for specific types
of vessels;
 the development of guidelines for the
creation of effective procedures for
use on board as well as by the shore-
based organisation;
 the definition of practical tools for the
shipping industry to facilitate the
implementation of the ISM Code;
 the definition of practical handbooks
providing guidance on managing
multi-cultural and small ship crews;
 specific training on human behaviour
in emergency situations.
Based on a survey of over 950 members
of the Baltic and International Maritime
Council, representing prominent world
shipping companies, it was recommen-
ded that shipping companies should:
 improve processes for operating ships
and managing business operations;
 improve risk management
procedures;
 enhance the use of information
systems, particularly web-based
applications and systems to help
implement the ISM Code; and
MARITIME SAFETY
New technologies such as advanced
information systems could radically change
operations and improve safety and efficiency,
while creating a need for changes in
management in a sector that is strongly
influenced by tradition. Research has
identified new ways of working that
address these problem areas.
 improve training systems and actions
to increase staff recruitment.
The defined educational framework –
establishing syllabi for courses in the
management of change in the shipping
industry – has increased the ability to
adapt to new technologies, management
concepts and regulations. Anticipated
overall cost savings of these new
structures in seaboard management
were estimated to be up to 25%, due
to reduced manpower and the use of
information technology.
Future efforts in integrated ship design
and management could improve
working conditions on-board ships if
the influence of human behaviour is
considered at an early stage. Noise,
vibration, climate and severe motions
can significantly interfere with work
efficiency and well-being. A better
control of these factors should therefore
markedly improve task performance at
sea, hence improving safety and
efficiency. For this purpose, highly
innovative design tools have been
developed that replicate both human
behaviour and the impact of ship
design on human performance.
10 11
 Around 70% of maritime accidents are caused
by human error and related organisational
procedures. Strong competition and high
social costs have led to the situation where
merchant ships are frequently manned by
less expensive crews, often with limited
education and training. In addition, adverse
working conditions on board vessels can
reduce human performance, hence efficiency
and safety.
Maritime Education and Training (MET) 11
Training of ship crews can be done reliably
for certain situations using ship or ship
bridge simulators. Research has identified
a wide variety of existing systems across
Europe, covering both full mission and
component task types, with differing
features. Moreover, foreseen future
developments, simulator availability and
suitability for training are not always
in line with training objectives based on
the Standards of Training, Certification
and Watchkeeping for Seafarers
(STCW 95).
Therefore, one research project has
developed training scenarios, with
particular attention to human factors.
Specific topics include simulator-training
© Eureka Slide, M. Loriaux
A comprehensive approach to the human
element is essential for safe ship operations.
The declining number of well-qualified EU
seafarers is recognised as a problem,
particularly in terms of the loss of knowledge
to the maritime industry as a whole.
This needs to be tackled by increasing job
attractiveness.
exercises, addressing STCW 95 and other
training objectives (e.g. for high-speed
vessels), management aspects, and
the introduction of advanced tactical
bridge displays. A comprehensive
catalogue of scenarios is available as
a database, covering a range of training
objectives, function levels and defined
competencies.
The sociological and linguistic origins of
constraints on ship crew performance
have also been investigated. Examples
of incidents and accidents related to
communication problems in open seas
or under pilotage indicate the need to
consider language and cultural issues in
the recruitment and training of ship crews.
 MARITIME SAFETY

Maritime Education and Training (MET) 11 (continued)

Educational and training requirements

for basic and maritime English
have been analysed. This led to
recommendations on how to integrate
modern tools of training, such as videos
and computer-based training, and
provided the outline of a pilot syllabus
for the teaching of maritime English,
based on the latest international rules
and standards.

A networking activity on MET focused

on the harmonisation of European
systems, providing the basis for the
development of a common European
approach to the implementation of
international regulations such as the
Standards of Training, Certification and
Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW 95)
and the International Safety
Management (ISM) code. This work
addressed in particular the problem of © Eureka Slide, M. Loriaux

the shortage of qualified seafarers,  better awareness of technological

which affects the quality and safety of
maritime transport in Europe, through
an improved, more harmonised and
applicable MET. This activity highlighted
the following aspects:
 to improve economic efficiency and
competitiveness, it is recommended
to concentrate and focus the resources
of MET institutions for all kinds of
marine operations;
 to foster mobility of seafarers, the
mutual recognition of certificates and
(national) regulations is desirable;
progress, with information technology
being a driving force in shipping,
should be raised in MET programmes;
 to attract young people to seafaring,
joint efforts are required building on
promising national approaches;
 advanced simulators should be
intensively used in MET schemes, in
order to foster cost-effectiveness;
 the transition from ship to shore
should be encouraged through an
enrichment of MET programmes with
a view to ensuring a career pathway.

12 13
ENHANCED
INFORMATION SERVICES
T
raditional Vessel Traffic Services
(VTS) focus on the management of
waterborne traffic in order to improve
navigation and safety. Innovative
Vessel Traffic Management and
Information Services (VTMIS) aim to provide
real-time information and services in order
Vessel traffic management and information services (VTMIS) 12
The transport research programme has
made extensive efforts in the area of
VTS and VTMIS to develop improved
systems for safe and efficient traffic
control and monitoring along the
European coastline.
The connection and interoperability of
different existing information systems
has been demonstrated at a number
of test sites in order to establish the
procedures and functionalities for a
future European-wide VTMIS network.
A number of value-added services were
introduced by integrating existing and
emerging technologies – such as
Electronic Chart and Display Information
Services and Automatic Identification
Systems as well as Internet-based
In inland and short sea shipping,
the use of information and
communication technologies is
dramatically increasing and may help to
provide a competitive edge over road
to maximise the efficiency of waterborne
transport, while again supporting safety
and environmental objectives. In particular,
the VTMIS concept enables the integration
of traffic and transport management, i.e.
the provision of information on traffic, cargo
flows and environmental conditions.
information tools – and by interlinking
VT(MI)S and other related services in
local, regional and European networks.
Effective shore-based management of
waterborne traffic requires Vessel Traffic
Services (VTS) and Vessel Traffic
Management and Information Services
(VTMIS) to be sited in optimal locations.
Therefore a mobile VTS has been
developed for on-site measurement of
traffic conditions, in particular flow and
density, enabling the comparison of
data between different areas as well as
the collection of traffic statistics.
An important achievement was
the successful testing of a communication
standard that enables the exchange of
traffic and environmental data between
VTS centres and systems using different
technologies.
A networking activity allowed Member
States and the research community to
establish a common view and better
understanding of what VTMIS can offer.
The expected benefits of VTMIS relative
to VTS were evaluated in terms of
safety, efficiency and protection
of the environment.
transport.To ensure interoperability and in
anticipation of intelligent waterborne
transport corridors being established (e.g.
connecting the North Sea with the Black
Sea), research efforts in the area of inland
 MARITIME SAFETY

navigation have sought to apply the same
principles, technologies and standards as
for maritime transport. In the area of traffic
management, this approach has led to the
concept of River Information Services (RIS)
being developed. In parallel, the aim is
to achieve full interoperability of different
on-board solutions which are tailor-made
for a given part of the transport chain, e.g.
to have the same information displayed
in high-seas, coastal zones, ports and
inland waterways.

River Information Services (RIS) 13

River Information Services form the traffic

management concept for inland
navigation in Europe. RIS will provide
harmonised information services to
support traffic and transport
management. The concept was initially
developed bottom-up and as a public-
private partnership between public
authorities, the transport and IT industries
and the research community. Important
conceptual elements of RIS – onboard
traffic images, fairway information,
strategic and logistic information – have
been developed and tested at a number
of European test sites. The RIS concept
builds on agreed European standards
for data and communication which are
based on maritime standards adopted
by the IMO (International Maritime strategic traffic images at the user level.
Organisation), e.g. for Inland ECDIS In addition, the technological side of RIS
(Electronic Chart Display and has been assessed, focusing on sensor
Information System) and AIS (Automatic requirements for inland water naviga-
Identification Systems). tion and the available technologies,
such as differential GPS, radar, heading
An integrated architecture has been and sensor platform instruments.
elaborated for information, navigation Training and certification requirements
and communication systems on-board for skippers were also considered, leading
vessels. This allows the functional to recommendations for the future
definition of information flows, education and training of personnel
distinguishing between tactical and on-board inland water vessels.

14 15
CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS
IN TRANSPORT RESEARCH
This section identifies current research projects in
the maritime transport sector addressing safety issues.
Further details are available from the Links section of
the web-based Knowledge Centre.
T
he transport research programme
has shown that the problems facing
maritime transport need to be
addressed through a pro-active
approach to quality and safety encompassing
safety standards, the human factor as well
as operational and organisational practices.
Most prominently, the rapid implementation
of safety features, such as the mandatory use
of voyage data recorders, has to be pursued
in further initiatives and backed up by
research, demonstration and evaluation trials.
The current research programme concentrates
resources in larger projects, in order to obtain
the critical mass for full-scale validation of
technologies and to smooth the effective
transfer of research results into real-life
application. The research tools to achieve
these objectives are mainly demonstration
projects and thematic networks.
The strategy towards achieving better
safety standards in maritime operations is
based on five broad themes:
• ensuring the application of international
regulations, within the framework of port
state control, to detect sub-standard vessels
and prevent them from sailing in European
waters and calling at European ports;
• guarding against human error by improved
crew awareness, education and training;
• making passenger ships safer by improving
safety standards;
• protecting waters from pollution by ships
carrying dangerous or polluting goods to
or from EU ports;
• ensuring the safe flow of traffic by
developing VTMIS systems and implementing
a monitoring and control system.
Quality in shipping is often related to better
safety at sea and much activity is focused
on eliminating sub-standard operations in
all areas. One goal is the application of high
quality management concepts by European
waterborne operators.
 MARITIME SAFETY

Quality of maritime transport operations 14

A thematic network is promoting the

development of high-quality shipping
operations and bringing together all
relevant actors in the transport chain.
The aim is to achieve a common
understanding of how to combine
the industrial concept of total logistics
quality with the European desire for
improved safety at sea. The thematic
network will respond to initiatives such
as Short Sea Shipping by considering
the ways in which these initiatives can
be assisted by improved technology
and high-quality services within an
attractive commercial framework. The
ultimate outcome will be a framework
© Eureka Slide, Louagie

that covers all major aspects of quality

systems, such as human, procedural and
equipment supply, communication, IT
systems, maintenance and survey.

Other thematic networks are continuing and training, safety, environmental

the work in the areas of maritime education protection and traffic management.

Maritime education 15

A thematic network on maritime

education and training (MET) and
the mobility of seafarers is pursuing
the harmonisation of MET schemes
across Europe – also with a view to
enlargement of the EU. The aim is to
improve the quality of maritime education
and training and to co-ordinate
the contents of MET schemes for ship
officers in the European Union in order
to increase their mobility. The work
addresses industry and government
concerns over the scarcity of ship officers
in EU countries.

In particular, the thematic network will

provide a harmonised approach to the
design of improved and more widely
applicable syllabi for MET students and
specialised courses for students and
lecturers alike. It will evaluate the funding
of MET, support the mutual recognition
of certificates, and identify ways of
increasing job attractiveness for
ship officers.
© Eureka Slide, Domelounksen

16 17
 Safety and environmental protection 16

Safety assessment in waterborne

transport is addressed in another major
thematic network. This aims to improve
safety and environmental protection in
shipping through the development of a
pro-active safety culture. The work will
establish a common knowledge base and
a comprehensive framework for safety
assessment and safety management in
waterborne transport. It will investigate
how best to provide reliable and com-
parable data for safety assessment, and
evaluate the feasibility of a European
information system for safety assessment.
In addition, it will analyse how to
implement methods for collecting risk
data, such as accident and incident
reporting and the deployment of voyage
data recorders ("maritime black box").
Based on this, the network should
identify how a common and harmonised
accident and incident investigation
methodology can be developed at a
European level.

© Eureka Slide, Domelounksen

The network builds on the conclusions
and recommendations from previous
European Commission projects on
formal safety assessment and casualty
analysis.

Towards the actual implementation of VTMIS and RIS 17

and Information Services (VTMIS) and

River Information Services (RIS).
The primary objective is to identify
the conditions for the effective
promotion and implementation of these
services in the near term.
© Eureka Slide, Louagie

More specifically, the benefits of the

A thematic network is working to reach
a common understanding of the
concepts of Vessel Traffic Management
new information services to users and
operators will be evaluated, and schemes
will be determined to pave the way
for the participation of e.g.
private/public partnerships in
the implementation stage.
References
Further information on the following projects can be obtained from the web-based Knowledge Centre.
Other key documents referenced in the brochure are available on the DG Energy and Transport web
site (http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/energy_transport/index_en.html).

1. White Paper "European transport policy for 2010: time to decide", COM(2001)370
2.The transport research programme is part of the fourth framework programme for Community activities in the field
of research, technological development and demonstration for the period 1994 to 1998
3. ATOMOS II project
4. MBB project
5. DISC and DISC II projects
6. BERTRANC and CASMET projects
7. FSEA project
8. SEALOC project
9. SAFECO and SAFECO II projects
10. MASIS II, MASSOP and REWORD projects
11. MARCOM, MASSTER and METHAR projects
12. MOVIT and VTMIS-NET projects
13. INCARNATION and RINAC projects
14. ADVANCES network
15. METNET network
16. THEMES network
17. WATERMAN-TS network

The following documents may serve as valuable background information:

• Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the safety of the seaborne oil
trade, COM (2000) 142 final
• Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on a second set of Community
measures on maritime safety following the sinking of the oil tanker Erika, COM(2000) 802, final
• Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the training and recruitment of
seafarers, COM (2001) 188 final

The programme’s Knowledge Centre is available at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/extra/home.html
It provides:
• structured guides to the results and projects for particular topics;
• summaries and final reports of individual projects;
• access to project web sites and other contact details.

18 19
 7
Brochures on results from the transport research programme

KO-39-01-546-EN-C
are available for:

1. Sustainable mobility

2. Clean urban transport

3. European transport networks

4. Single European sky

5. Maritime safety

6. Freight intermodality

7. Getting prices right

8. Road safety

9. Intelligent transport systems

OFFICE FOR OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS

OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
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