During the annual EMSA workshop of the European Coast Guard Functions Forum (ECGFF), organised by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), Belgium took part with representatives from DG Shipping (Stefanie Monsaert), the Management Unit of the Mathematical Model of the North Sea (Kobe Scheldeman), agency for Maritime and Coastal services (Yves Maekelberg) and the Coast Guard (Eefje Deweer).
Multifunctional and complementary surveillance: the strength of integrated capabilities
Modern and effective coast guard surveillance requires a multifunctional approach, using a complementary mix of tools – such as satellites, drones (underwater and airborne), aircraft, vessels and ground systems. No single instrument is sufficient on its own to address today’s complex maritime challenges.
By fostering cooperation between agencies (such as EMSA, EFCA and FRONTEX) and combining technologies, a robust, real‑time maritime picture can be created. This enables efficient coordination of safety, environment, fisheries and enforcement activities.
Geopolitical developments and operational impact
Participants examined the rapidly changing geopolitical context and its consequences for daily maritime operations. A notable trend is the recent rise in falsely flagged vessels and the activities of the so‑called shadow fleet: older, poorly maintained ships whose flag authenticity and insurance documents are difficult to verify, thus posing a greater risk of incidents.
By pooling expertise and sharing operational information among Member States, enriched with additional data, progress is being made to better map these vessels. Many of them never call at a port and continue operating at sea through ship‑to‑ship transfers, with all the risks that entails. The principle of freedom of navigation remains essential, but makes enforcement more difficult.
EU agencies strengthen their support
EMSA provided an update on its services, with particular attention to the further development of Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) capability. These systems can operate at depths of up to 3000 metres and are used for surveys and operations such as mapping cables, anchors and wreckage. Belgium has already used these services over the past two years.
The European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) presented a timeline for new regulations and technological tools such as hydrophones (detecting illegal fishing through sound), DNA kits (species identification), satellite imagery, Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM), drones (UAVs) and artificial intelligence. These tools were not originally designed for fisheries control, and the necessary adaptations to optimise their use are currently being implemented.
FRONTEX outlined how its aircraft can be deployed for various coast guard functions. These aircraft provide maritime situational awareness, can zoom in on suspicious vessels and transmit images to the land‑based operations centre almost in real time. In the event of an incident, they can quickly adjust their flight plan.
Energy transition brings new challenges
The shift to non‑fossil fuels such as LNG, methanol, ammonia and hydrogen requires major adjustments. Ports are not yet fully equipped, and knowledge about risks – such as explosion hazards or toxicity – still needs to be expanded. Although the industry is keen to move forward, infrastructure, emergency planning and enforcement are still lagging behind.
Nevertheless, the transition also presents opportunities, and significant preparatory work has already been carried out both at EMSA and IMO level.
Technology and data access
New technologies such as RPAS drones and satellite images are becoming increasingly sophisticated, but sometimes face practical limitations. For example, Earth Observation is not continuously available, and obtaining flight permits remains complex due to differences between exclusive economic zones and flight regulation zones — a challenge experienced by Belgium and by countries such as Romania.
In an ongoing FRONTEX/EMSA pilot project, up to 90% fewer GPS‑spoofing incidents were recorded within a designated area. At the same time, warnings are issued regarding the use of non‑European cloud storage, and Member States question whether the costs for LRIT data could be shared. A vessel entering European waters does not enter just one country, but the whole of Europe.
Importance of training and upskilling
With the rapid technological evolution, training is more important than ever. E‑learning offers an efficient solution for theoretical knowledge, as it is flexible in terms of time and place. The quality of training mainly depends on the expertise of instructors. EMSA remains a reference in this field, with a broad range of blended learning: online modules, live sessions, virtual reality and practical exercises.
