EU Maritime Security Strategy: joint report highlights progress

03.11.2026 Strategic Communications

Maritime exercise in Catania for the European Coast Guard Functions Forum 2026

The European Commission and the High Representative presented today the first Joint Report on the implementation of the EU Maritime Security Strategy since 2023.

Three years after the entry into force of the revised EU Maritime Security Strategy (EUMSS), the report shows that the strategy is helping the EU respond effectively to growing maritime threats and geopolitical challenges in an increasingly volatile maritime domain.

The findings confirm the crucial role of the EUMSS as a framework for aligning civilian and military efforts to protect the maritime interests of the EU and its Member States and to uphold international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The findings also highlight the EUMSS’ role in strengthening the EU’s capacity to respond to rapidly evolving threats such as drone attacks, shadow fleet activities and sabotage of critical maritime infrastructure.

Key achievements

Since 2023, progress has been made across all six key objectives of the strategy.

Step up activities at sea

In February 2024, the EU launched the EUNAVFOR ASPIDES naval operation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. EUNAVFOR ASPIDES protected more than 800 merchant vessels and monitored more than 2 000, with a 100% success rate, demonstrating the EU’s capacity to conduct a naval operation in a high-risk environment.
The EU also set up an annual live EU maritime security exercise, which brings together Member States’ navies and coastguards, EU services and specialised EU agencies (EMSA, EFCA, Frontex) to test operational cooperation and information exchange in real-life conditions.
The EU and Member States also reinforced operational capacity building through multipurpose maritime operations (MMOs), including five major exercises in 2024–2025 in the Black Sea, Baltic Sea and Adriatic Sea, and a new in the North Sea in 2026. These exercises improved cross-agency coordination, deepened cooperation on coast guard functions and tested emerging technologies in real conditions.

Cooperate with partners

Significant new political agreements on maritime security have been concluded with key partners, such as Australia, Canada, Ghana, Iceland, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, Norway and United Kingdom. The EU also consolidated its support for regional maritime security structures, including becoming a Friend of the Djibouti Code of Conduct.
The Coordinated Maritime Presence in the Gulf of Guinea has matured into an effective instrument of the EU’s integrated approach, combining coordinated operational presence with partnership-driven cooperation and complemented by substantial EU-funded maritime security programmes.

Enhance maritime domain awareness

In July 2024, the Commission launched the operational phase of the Common Information Sharing Environment for the maritime domain (CISE). Together with the CISE–MARSUR interconnection, this marked an important milestone in maritime information sharing among civilian and military authorities.
The European Defence Agency (EDA) expanded the MARSUR III network to include the EU Military Planning and Conduct Capability and the Operational Headquarters of the EU’s three CSDP naval operations. It successfully tested live data exchange with national command systems and NATO during the REPMUS naval exercise off Portugal in September 2026.

Manage risks and threats

In February 2025, the EU adopted the Action Plan on Cable Security, followed by the Cable Security Toolbox. In June 2026, the Commission funded two regional cable and maritime surveillance hubs, one in the Baltic and one in the Mediterranean.
The EU and Member States have taken concrete action against the shadow fleet, including sanctions on more than 700 vessels and about 100 enablers, as well as flag verification boardings of numerous shadow fleet vessels both by Member States and by EUNAVFOR IRINI, in accordance with UNCLOS.

Boost capabilities to address evolving threats

In September 2026 the Council approved five European Defence Projects of Common Interest (EDPCI’s), notably on Integrated Maritime and Seabed Defence (IMSD), and on Drone and Counter-Drone European Resolve (DECODER), with indicative overall investments of up to EUR 72 billion and EUR 5 billion respectively.

Improve the response to maritime threats through education and training.

New education and training possibilities have been created, including EMILYO (Military Erasmus), coastguard training sessions, and exchange programmes with EU Agencies.
Cybersecurity exercises and seminars on protecting critical maritime infrastructure have also been organised, including with international partners.

Milestone achieved, momentum must be maintained

The report marks an important milestone, but it is not the end of the process.

Since 2023, maritime security threats have intensified, ranging from sabotage of critical maritime infrastructure, drone attacks against merchant vessels and shadow fleet activities, to piracy, cyberattacks and drug trafficking.

In response, the EU and its Member States have stepped up naval operations, maritime exercises, cooperation with international partners, information sharing, and efforts to protect critical infrastructure and develop additional maritime capabilities.

Looking ahead, the EU and its Member States must build on this progress by strengthening maritime domain awareness, developing joint capabilities, deepening civil-military and public-private cooperation, and reinforcing their role as a global maritime security actor.

Background

In 2014, the Council adopted the first EU Maritime Security Strategy, with an accompanying Action Plan. Since then, EU countries have worked with the European Commission and the EEAS to update the strategy and action plan to better respond to emerging threats and situations.

The revised EU Maritime Security Strategy builds on a joint communication from March 2023 and includes extensive input from EU countries.