Facts and Figures
Globalisation, changing geopolitical scenarios and the growing pressure on marine resources and maritime activities has resulted in a significant increase in new threats and risks for Europe.
- 85% of EU external borders are coastal, totalling around 141 941 km[1]
- European jurisdictional (territorial + Exclusive Economic Zones as stipulated under UNCLOS) waters add up to 7,044,342 km2, which is almost 135% of the total EUR28 land area
- 90% of EU external trade and 40% of internal trade is carried by sea
- 41% of the EU28 population live in coastal regions[2], which produce more that 40% of the EUR28 GDP[3]
Today, maritime surveillance in coastal Member States implies a cost of up to EUR 10 billion per year. Implementing CISE would cost EUR 10 million per year over the first 10 years (an investment of just +0.1% annually), and would bring direct economic benefits of EUR 400 million per year, a return on investment of 1:4. Overall CISE would bring total savings, both direct and indirect, of up to EUR 40 million per year.
- Studies have shown that CISE would bring a noticeable reduction in threats (30% on average)
- Up to 40% of the information gathered by EUR23 maritime surveillance authorities is done multiple times
There are many recent maritime events covered by mass media which would have profited from the benefits CISE offers, therefore reassuring European citizens about maritime awareness and preparedness in Europe, for example the Prestige, Erika and other major oil spills, massive migration-related tragedies like near Lampedusa, near-shore accidents like Costa Concordia’s, organised crime, international piracy, or the illegal overexploitation of some biological resources.
Enhanced awareness
By facilitating and automating information sharing, European maritime surveillance authorities and Member States will gain a cumulative and cooperative overview of anything related to the European maritime domain.
Security
EU Member States and the European Union as a whole need to further adapt to a globalised world with a growing dependence on marine and maritime resources, with increased maritime-related disputes and new forms of illegal activities. Security issues will also arise around climate change, which will lead to unpredictable weather patterns and associated socioeconomic instability, and the possible rise in sea levels, all of which will require greater awareness in the maritime domain for correct and timely responses.
Better and faster responses
Having more accessible information that is broader in scope and available at the click of a button will allow CISE users to make faster decisions that will translate into equally improved responses.
Cost-efficiency through collaborative planning
By avoiding overlapping maritime surveillance tasks, better planning the deployment of surveillance systems, and accessing third party data, CISE users will be able to provide European citizens with an enhanced, yet more cost-effective service. With CISE improving the collective reach and responsiveness of maritime surveillance authorities they will be able to do much more, to a higher standard, and make better use of their operational and economic resources.
New uses and free resources
The possibility of accessing and collating third party data will stimulate new applications for CISE and the development of standards-based innovation. Maritime surveillance authorities and Member States will further be able to expand the reach of their strategies and resources, and improve the scope and depth of their operative knowledge.
Citizens
A Maritime CISE, as part of the European Integrated Maritime Policy, is a necessary tool to make sure that European Member States have the tools and information necessary to ensure Safe, Secure and Clean seas, and keep them productive, sustainable and accessible to all, meaning citizens will always have access to the global marketplace.
[1] Key figures for coastal regions and sea areas. Eurostat, Statistics in focus 47/2009 + 5,835.3km (Croatia)
[2] http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_OFFPUB/KS-HA-11-001-13/EN/KS-HA-11-001-13-EN.PDF
[3] COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS “A European Strategy for Marine and Maritime Research” A coherent European Research Area framework in support of a sustainable use of oceans and seas.