A. Introduction

27.001 The European Maritime Safety Agency (“EMSA”) now plays a central role in the European Union’s (“EU”) maritime safety agenda. As a specialised and dedicated agency, it can take the EU’s work in regard to maritime safety to a new higher level than the Commission which is more concerned with policy issues and has a wider agenda.1 This chapter focuses on the EMSA while subsequent chapters consider particular aspects of EU maritime safety law and particular aspects of the work of EMSA.