On 30 October, 2024, the closing event of the Multipurpose Maritime Operation “MMO Baltic Sea 2024” (hereinafter – Operation), organised by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX), the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), was held in Turku, Finland.
The Operation took place in the Baltic Sea from 30 July to 30 October, 2024 in the areas of responsibility of Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Finland with the involvement of their vessels and personnel resources, while the three EU agencies involved remotely piloted aircraft systems in the performance of their tasks. The main objectives of the Operation were the control of illegal migration, the fight against cross-border crime at sea and the strengthening of cooperation in coast guard functions, including search and rescue operations at sea, maritime safety control, fisheries control and environmental protection.
Frontex, EFCA and EMSA supported countries with surveillance and communication services, risk analysis and exchange of information on maritime threats. The involvement of three EU agencies in one operation, where they carry out different coast guard functions together with Member States, effectively expanded capabilities in maritime and border surveillance.
In total, 16 incidents were detected in the area of responsibility of the Operation, of which 2 were search and rescue activities. An equivalent operation with increased involvement of Member States in the Baltic Sea Region will be planned provisionally in 2025.