The Copernicus Maritime Surveillance (CMS) Service provides Earth Observation products (satellite images and value adding products) to support a better understanding and improved monitoring of activities at sea, within a wide range of operational functions such as maritime safety and security, fisheries control, customs, law enforcement, marine environment pollution monitoring, and others. Implemented by EMSA, it is a Security Service of the EU’s Copernicus Programme.

Recognising that human activity at sea is intrinsically dynamic, the Copernicus Maritime Surveillance Service aims to provide timely, relevant, and targeted satellite-based information to member states and EU bodies. Data from earth observation satellites is combined with a wide range of other data, both from EMSA systems as well as from external sources. This includes vessel identification and position information, behaviour patterns, and intelligence from users. The fusion of data provides a more complete overview of activities at sea, enabling a more in-depth analysis than any one data source alone. By offering increased access to earth observation data, Copernicus reinforces and enhances existing EMSA services and opens the possibility of setting up new services too.

The CMS service provides support to interested Member State administrations and European bodies exercising functions in the maritime domain. The functions currently delivered by the CMS service include:
■ fisheries control,
■ maritime safety,
■ maritime security,
■ customs,
■ law enforcement,
■ marine pollution monitoring, and
■ international cooperation.

Stakeholder Forum: Copernicus Maritime Surveillance (CMS) User Group.

EFCA use CMS to acquire satellite imagery in relation to fisheries control activities.

Maritime Analytical Report - ad hoc product dedicated to assessing a specific risk (or its components), forecasting and anticipating developments, and when relevant produces recommendations.
The purpose of the product is to contribute to establishing a comprehensive and up to date situational picture, as well as to provide actionable intelligence regarding a risk that may affect the management of EU external maritime borders.

The analysts access and use any relevant source / type of information (e.g. Frontex/MS, IMINT, OSINT, maritime analytical tools, EMSA and EFCA via JORA).

Maritime Area / Port Analysis: MIC-RAN produces maritime area / port analyses that describe the main patterns and trends vis-à-vis regular maritime traffic and behaviours as well as cross-border and transnational maritime crime.

The analysts access and use any relevant source / type of information (e.g. Frontex/MS, IMINT, OSINT, maritime analytical tools, EMSA and EFCA via JORA).

Maritime Risk Profiling: the reports involve comparative analysis with the purpose of identifying similarities and differences between cases of vessels used in illicit activities and building a target profile to assist maritime surveillance, operational planning and deployment decisions and/or investigative support activities.

The analysts access and use any relevant source / type of information (e.g. Frontex/MS, IMINT, OSINT, maritime analytical tools, EMSA and EFCA via JORA).

Maritime Warning: MIC-RAN produces short analytical reports that provide to internal/external customers an early warning on a situation in the maritime environment that have or may have potential security implications for policy and/or practice. This is a standard reporting practice when significant    maritime events or issues occur.

The analysts access and use any relevant source / type of information (e.g. Frontex/MS, IMINT, OSINT, maritime analytical tools, EMSA and EFCA via JORA).

This service provides a socio-economic baseline and initial analysis of a specific area, activity and/or an organized criminal group associated with irregular migration or cross-border crime activities.

The service was made possible by the EMSA-Frontex SLA.