Spain submits proposal to European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) on common EU method to tackle crises caused by accidents involving vessels

In this regard, Ana Pastor told the agency's director about the fundamental need to work together in a coordinated fashion on improving the tools used to monitor marine pollution, especially the aerial and satellite imaging of oil spills and the subsequent validation thereof. At the meeting, the Minister for Public Works expressed gratitude for the availability of EMSA after the sinking of the Oleg Naydenov, a message that Ana Pastor also conveyed to the EU Commissioner for Transport, Violeta Bulc, on 15 April during her visit to Madrid.

Closely related to this event, the Spanish minister highlighted the need to raise awareness in the international community about the importance of the Cape Town Agreements (South Africa) on increased security conditions for fishing boats and the option for maritime authorities to inspect large-sized vessels of this nature even when sailing under the flag of another country.

After explaining the actions that her ministerial department launched after the sinking of the Russian fishing boat to the south of Gran Canaria, the minister highlighted the importance placed by Spain on security in terms of maritime traffic and the sailing conditions around Spanish coasts.

Furthermore, Ana Pastor said that Spain's commitment to maritime security and the fight against pollution is strong, as demonstrated by the number of inspections conducted on foreign vessels in Spain.

In this regard, she also valued the effort made by the European Maritime Safety Agency through the allocation of resources enabling vessels with pollution collection and combating capabilities to be put on stand-by for the Canary Islands and Madeira.

It should be noted that Spain requested a tendering process for stand-by vessels (vessels ready to respond at short notice to spills) from the agency in June last year to cover the area near the Canary Islands (Canary Islands-Madeira). This request was received by the EMSA and the process is now under way.

Spain-Portugal connections

At the event held on Tuesday, the Minister for Public Works also met with the State Secretary for Infrastructures, Transport and Communications of Portugal, Sergio Silva Monteiro, with whom she reviewed the railway and road connection situation between the two countries, as well as collaboration in terms of air transport between Spain and Portugal.

Furthermore, the Spanish minister announced the creation of a Task Force on the Atlantic Corridor.