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On 4 September, the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee (TRAN) held its first meeting after the summer recess. During this session, MEPs engaged in an exchange of views with Ms Maja Markovčić Kostelac, Executive Director of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), and Mr Josef Doppelbauer, Executive Director of the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA).

Ms Kostelac highlighted EMSA's work in enhancing maritime safety and reducing the environmental impact of maritime transport, also emphasising Europe's strategic role in global maritime security. She addressed the agency’s involvement in the ongoing war in Ukraine, reporting that EMSA is assisting Member States in enforcing sanctions against Russia and expanding their capacity to monitor Russia’s so-called "dark fleets." Additionally, she outlined EMSA’s support for the EU’s Aspides mission in the Red Sea through advanced monitoring technologies.

MEPs praised EMSA’s work over recent years and stressed the need to ensure a budget increase to reflect the agency’s growing responsibilities, including new mandates related to the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and FuelEU Maritime. Some also urged the agency to focus more on the promotion of sustainable fuels in the maritime sector.

Mr Doppelbauer addressed the critical role of rail transport in achieving sustainable mobility, emphasising ERA’s work in railway safety, interoperability, and the oversight of National Safety Authorities. He underlined the need for a modal shift towards sustainable land transport but acknowledged the challenges of fragmentation in the rail sector, low investments levels, and inadequate infrastructure maintenance.

MEPs commended Mr Doppelbauer for ERA’s strong collaboration with the TRAN Committee and underscored the need to make rail transport more efficient and competitive. They stressed the need for better cooperation among infrastructure managers and the establishment of common language requirements to harmonise the sector. However, concerns were raised about the Council’s General Approach on the Railway Capacity Regulation, which risks bringing further fragmentation to the rail sector.