European Maritime Safety Report 2025 highlights progress and remaining challenges in EU maritime safety

Today marks the release of the second edition of the European Maritime Safety (EMSAFE) Report, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state of maritime safety within the European Union. Building upon the first edition, the EMSAFE Report analyses the development and implementation of relevant EU and international maritime safety standards.

Maritime transport is pivotal not only for sustaining trade, economic growth, and connectivity, but also promoting energy security and employment. The increasing trade volumes and passenger traffic in the EU underline the need for safer, more efficient vessels.

The report confirms that the European maritime safety framework continues to be one of the most robust in the world, even as seaborne trade volumes and passenger numbers increase. It confirms the strong performance of the port State control system at Member State level, with more than 14,000 vessel inspections carried out each year in EU ports. This regime is complemented by legislative initiatives like the specific EU survey regime for ro-pax and high-speed craft, and the obligation for Member States to report and monitor accidents centrally, both for analysis and for the development of preventive actions.

The report is prepared by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), with support from the European Commission. The European Commission works closely with the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and Member States to address the remaining challenges and further improve safety levels of maritime transport. In 2024-2025, the EU adopted the Maritime Safety Package, along with the revision of the EMSA mandate, which aligns the EU’s standards with international commitments, while simplifying and modernising the legal framework.

More information

EMSA - The 2025 European Maritime Safety Report