Failures of EU Member States in Combating Marine Pollution

A report by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) reveals that European Union member states are failing to implement rules for preventing marine pollution, casting doubt on the achievement of the 2030 targets. The report emphasizes that, despite the availability of appropriate tools and allocated funds, they are not being used effectively.

Pollution of the sea from oil spills, gas emissions, chemical discharges, and waste remains a serious issue, despite the EU’s objectives to eliminate pollution by 2030. Ships — including cargo vessels, cruise ships, passenger ferries, and fishing boats — are major sources of marine pollution.

Ineffective Use of EU Funds to Reduce Pollution

The ECA found that neither the European Commission nor the member states effectively monitor how funds intended for combating marine pollution are spent. Of the €216 million provided by the EU, most of the funds were used to improve port reception facilities for waste, rather than to effectively tackle pollution at its sources — namely, ships.

The European Court of Auditors visited four projects aimed at addressing ship-sourced pollution in selected member states. The audit covers the period from January 2014 to September 2024. The projects were located in France and Germany, aiming to cover different marine sub-regions and vessel types.

Lack of Enforcement

The report reveals that, although a legal framework exists to prevent pollution, enforcement and control are weak. The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) provides tools for satellite monitoring of oil spills, but member states fail to take the necessary follow-up actions.

This lack of implementation and enforcement means the EU’s ambitious zero pollution goal by 2030 — aimed at protecting human health, biodiversity, and fish stocks — remains out of reach. The ECA report highlights the urgent need for stronger measures and more effective use of available funds to combat marine pollution.

According to EMSA’s CleanSeaNet, 182 alerts were issued regarding potential pollution cases in coastal countries, with follow-up actions reported (2022–2023). However, only 1% of these EMSA alerts resulted in checks by member states.

On the other hand, Bulgaria ranked first in meeting the 15% inspection target for ships under the Port State Control Directive in 2023, with 56.8% of inspections carried out in compliance with the Directive.

Full report here

Key Findings from the Report