On 18 March 2021, Frontex, the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), and the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) signed a new working arrangement, in order to further enhance their cooperation. The arrangement defines the precise forms of cooperation between the agencies, with the aim of supporting national authorities carrying out coast guard functions at the national, Union, and (where appropriate) international levels.

Forms of cooperation set out in the arrangement include:

• Sharing, fusing, and analysing information available in ship reporting systems and other information systems hosted by or accessible to the agencies;
• Providing surveillance and communication services based on state-of-the-art technology;
• Capacity-building;
• Enhancing the exchange of information and cooperation on coast guard functions;
• Capacity-sharing.

The arrangement also contains specific rules on cooperation for specific purposes referring to the relevant Directives and Regulations as well as provisions on governance, data protection, and fundamental rights.