MARPOS is an FP7 coordination and support action that aims at assisting the Commission in the implementation of the EU Maritime Transport Policy objectives by utilising the results of past research work in the field of Maritime Transport and related expertise from the Transport sector.

It addresses the issue by consolidating and synthesizing the results of Maritime Transport research in the past two Framework Programs (FP5 and FP6) and the most recent FP7 in order to come up with a set of conclusions applying to a set of 5 Maritime Research Themes which are:

competitiveness environmental challenges energy challenges safety challenges human challenges

The project looks also in detail in the reverse direction focusing on the future needs and priorities for EU research in the Maritime Transport sector so as to better serve the realization of the general Maritime Transport Policy objectives.

Key outputs of MARPOS comprise a publication containing the results of the research work and an easy-to-use searchable internet database (e-tool) through which all interested parties will have the opportunity to be informed on the results of the European research over the past decade. This e-tool will be updateable providing links to the past and current/future research work in European maritime transport area.

An important part of MARPOS work is devoted to dissemination and networking actions. These activities include 2 workshops, a major Conference in Brussels and other internet based dissemination activities. The aim is to present to various experts, administrators, and policy makers across EU the contents of the Commission’s Maritime Policy emphasising on the Transport related elements, presenting the project results and recommendations regarding future Transport research themes & priorities, and taking useful feedback in all aspects of the project’s work so as to be able to finalise its results and recommendations.