The EMSA Academy is the European Maritime Safety Agency’s hub for learning, training and capacity building in the maritime domain.

Since the Agency’s establishment, training has been a core task. Through the Academy, EMSA designs, develops and delivers high-quality learning services and targeted training activities in areas where EU Member States are responsible under maritime legislation. At the request of the European Commission, EMSA also provides technical assistance — including training — to EU accession countries, European Neighbourhood partner countries and States participating in regional Port State Control regimes.

Our mission is to strengthen national administrations, enhance cooperation, and promote the consistent and effective implementation of EU maritime legislation. By supporting authorities in their roles as Flag, Port and Coastal States, the Academy contributes to high standards of safety, security and environmental protection, while ensuring a level playing field across the maritime sector.

The EMSA Academy combines robust pedagogical frameworks with modern digital technologies and innovative learning tools. Through competency-based programmes, practical exercises and interactive platforms, we enable maritime professionals to develop the knowledge, skills and operational expertise required to address evolving challenges.

Recognised across Europe and beyond as a centre of excellence in maritime learning outside formal education, the EMSA Academy plays a key role in building sustainable capacity and operational readiness throughout the maritime community.

The Academy is recognised as an EU-wide and global centre of excellence for the design, development and delivery of quality learning services outside formal education in the maritime domain as it supports the acquisition and development of knowledge, skills and competencies through teaching and learning to satisfy the learning needs and expectations of beneficiary individuals and organizations.

The EMSA Academy offers learning services outside formal education in the maritime domain, using as a reference standard ISO 29993:2017. Based on this standard, the Agency has developed and implements the EMSA Academy Management System (AMS) as the reference framework. The AMS follows the same process approach as used within the EMSA Integrated Quality and Environmental Management System Manual (IQEMSM – Link to EMSA ISO) and specific processes have been developed in order to fulfil the Academy’s scope and objectives, taking into consideration the requirements of ISO 29993:2017.

1. PS-CB-ANA = Needs Analysis (related reference in ISO 29993:2017: Clause 5 and 7) -
2. PS-CB-DES = Design & Development (related reference in ISO 29993:2017: Clause 8, 12)
3. PS-CB-INF = Information on Learning Services (related reference in ISO 29993:2017: Clause 4,6 and 9)
4. PS-CB-DEL = Implementation & Service Delivery (related reference in ISO 29993:2017: Clause 10)
5. PS-CB-EVA = Evaluation & Continuous Improvement (related reference in ISO 29993:2017: Clause 13)

EMSA Academy has been accredited by TÜV Rhineland Portugal for the design, development and delivery of learning services outside formal education in the maritime domain as per ISO 29993:2017