For many years the Association has worked hard to progress a development strategy which included a desire for more formal recognition of our work by the European Commission in progressing networking opportunities and strategic advice on a pan European basis. This work initially commenced with the EAASP being offered a seat on the Commission’s DGTren Stakeholder Advisory Group on Maritime Security (SAGMAS) and this has been of mutual benefit to both organisations.

In July 2009 the EAASP executive became aware that tenders were being invited for a DGTren sponsored project around

"Transport Security: • Creation of a network for the exchange of information in order to define and promote harmonised dissemination as regards safety incidents at port and fleet level in the Member States."

A full executive meeting was called and the committee reviewed and considered the project details to ensure that it was a project that we felt would appropriately represent the aims and values of the EAASP. Secondly, the Executive Committee needed to ensure that within the membership of the Association we would be best placed with the breadth of experience and contacts to take on the project and deliver a quality research and proposal document.

 A project team worked hard to prepare a formal bid to take on the project with proposal papers being submitted to DGTren on the 15th October 2009.

The Exco are now pleased to announce that we were successful in our bid and the contract was awarded by the EU in December. The proposed project is entitled

 “EPSIEN – European Port Security Information Exchange Network”.

This project will bring together members of the EAASP to work in co-operation with identified European partners and organisations to research methods to obtain and disseminate information and low level intelligence not just between European Police but essential port operatives such as security officers, harbour masters and marina managers.

We have also had early support from our colleagues in QinetiQ who will actively be involved in the development process and also FePort who represent private port operators in Europe.

 Special thanks needs to be extended to Bill Woodside and Richard Chisnall from QinetiQ who spent many hours researching and preparing the successful submission document.

The Association have also been approached by two other organisations who are bidding for EU projects in seperate areas of work who believe that the association are well placed to assist their bids as either expert advisors or end users. This further recognises the importance of the work and experience that is maintained within the EAASP.

Further details can be obtained form our General Secretary, Paul Campbell.