Acronym: EMMERA
Duration: March 2024 – February 2026
Project Partners: Frederick University (Coordinator), University of Piraeus, University of Haifa, Cyprus Port Authority, Elefsis Port Authority
Project Overview:
East Med Cross-Border Marine Environmental Risk Assessment (EMMERA) – UCPM-2023-KAPP-PV. The marine and coastal infrastructure are a source of pollution of the marine environment, due to contamination caused by oil discharges, synthetic compounds, the introduction of non-native species through ballast water, use of agriculture fertilizers, fouling, light and noise. Further, recent marine pollution events (e.g., Israeli coast polluted by Tar from an unknown marine source in February 2021, the coastal accident in Banias in Lebanon caused by a continuous spillage from a refine plant) have spread their effects beyond the countries boundaries, indicating that marine pollution hazards and incidents can have cross-border effects. However, the cross-border collaboration on performing risk assessments to jointly identify marine pollution risks with potential cross-border environmental effects and developing tools to share data and information in order to effectively communicate these risks at crossborder levels, remains fragmented. EMMERA aims to develop an integrated e-platform to assess and prevent hazardous events caused by marine environmental pollution in and around ports. By leveraging advanced risk assessment models and real-time environmental monitoring tools, EMMERA enhances port resilience and operational safety in the face of natural and man-made disasters. The project brings together a consortium of academic institutions and port authorities, including the University of Piraeus, Frederick University, the University of Haifa, the Cyprus Port Authority, and the Elefsis Port Authority. EMMERA contributes to the broader EU civil protection mechanism and aligns with the European Green Deal by addressing key environmental vulnerabilities in maritime transport.
Key Outputs:
- Integrated e-platform for marine environmental risk management
- Cross-border risk assessment methodology
- Advanced monitoring and warning tools
- Joint action plans and protocols
- Knowledge and data sharing infrastructure
Expected Impacts:
- Enhanced port resilience and operational safety
- Improved cross-border coordination
- Support for EU civil protection and the European Green Deal
- Increased awareness and responsiveness
- Scalability and replicability
More information: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/projects-details/43298203/101140365/UCPM2027
This project has been funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.