(1)

The Commission is responsible for the management and development at policy level of the Union maritime information and exchange system including the central SafeSeaNet system, the CleanSeaNet system and the relevant parts of the long-range identification and tracking system (LRIT), their integration and interoperability and for the oversight of the SafeSeaNet system, in cooperation with Member States.

(2)

Annex III, point 2.2, of Directive 2002/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (1) provides for the establishment of a high-level steering group, in respect of matters referred to therein. That steering group has been set up by Decision 2009/584/EC (2).

(3)

Following the amendment of Annex III, point 2.2, of Directive 2002/59/EC by Commission Directive 2014/100/EU (3) this rule provides for a number of new tasks to assist in the management and governance of the system and integrated services, compared to the previous situation. In practice this also allows for the further streamlining of the existing governance and groups, in view of reducing administrative burdens and simplifying reporting obligations.

(4)

It is therefore necessary, as regards the Commission decision establishing the high-level steering group, to provide for an updated set of tasks.

(5)

It is also expedient to confer upon the high-level steering group certain other tasks, closely related to those set out in Directive 2002/59/EC, and corresponding to the expertise of the group. Hence, the group should assist the Commission in the fulfilment of its task set out in Article 3(2) of Directive 2010/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (4), in establishing and maintaining cooperation with expert group(s) and in enhancing the established cooperation between all relevant authorities involved in the Member States, in monitoring the interconnection and interoperability of the system and, it should also bring about an exchange of experience and good practice with all parties, including industry stakeholders, involved.

(6)

It appears also necessary to address technological developments and advancements as well as strategic issues related to the future developments of the system, taking into account in particular the support and facilitation of the European maritime transport space without barriers and other relevant Union policies and legislation. This may also be useful for the development of the voluntary process of a common information and sharing environment (CISE).

(7)

In conformity with Annex III, point 2.2, of Directive 2002/59/EC, the high-level steering group should be made up by representatives of the Member States and of the Commission. It shall be chaired by a representative of the Commission. For reasons of continuity it is desirable that the current members appointed in accordance with Decision 2009/584/EC remain appointed until the end of their current term.

(8)

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) is responsible for the technical implementation of the Union maritime information and exchange system, in cooperation with the Member States and the Commission, in accordance with Directive 2002/59/EC and with regard to supporting Member States in the implementation of Directive 2010/65/EU, in particular by facilitating the electronic transmission of data through the SafeSeaNet system, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1406/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council (5); it should therefore be permanently involved in the work of the high-level steering group.

(9)

Rules on disclosure of information by members of the group should be laid down.

(10)

Personal data should be processed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (6).

(11)

Decision 2009/584/EC should be repealed,

(a)

as stipulated in point 2.2 of Annex III of Directive 2002/59/EC;

(b)

to assist the Commission in the fulfilment of its tasks set out in Article 3(2) of Directive 2010/65/EU, in particular assist in developing technical mechanisms for the harmonisation and coordination of reporting formalities within the Union enhancing integration, re-use and sharing of information reported into the system, enabling reporting once and thereby supporting the facilitation of the European maritime transport space without barriers;

(c)

To establish and maintain cooperation with expert group(s) for specific tasks related to the operation, use and functioning of the Union maritime information and exchange system, the national single window, the national SafeSeaNet or other electronic systems and their interoperability, under terms of reference established by the HLSG;

(d)

to establish the cooperation between the Member States bodies and the Commission regarding:

(e)

to monitor the interconnection and interoperability of the national single window and the Union maritime information and exchange system as well as other relevant European systems used for managing the information;

(f)

to bring about an exchange of experience and good practice for the purposes of Article 20(3) of Directive 2002/59/EC.