Multipurpose Maritime Exercise in the Western Black Sea

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) and the Romanian authorities organised the Maritime Multipurpose Exercise (MME) Tomis 2026, a multipurpose maritime exercise held in the Black Sea on 13-14 August. The exercise brought together Frontex, the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA), the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), national agencies responsible for maritime border control, maritime safety, fisheries control and maritime security, the participating states, and maritime experts. The aim was to strengthen interagency cooperation, develop interoperability, enhance EU cooperation on Coast Guard Functions, and increase the capacity for a joint response in handling complex operational situations at sea.

'Security at sea always depends on the ability to work together', said Dr Lars Gerdes, Frontex's Deputy Executive Director for Operations, at the opening ceremony.

On the first day, operational briefings and working sessions were held, attended by representatives of the EU agencies, involved institutions and countries. The second day involved a series of complex tactical scenarios designed to test the participating units' ability to respond and cooperate in handling specific maritime incidents related to coast guard functions. The activities focused on preventing and combatting illegal migration by sea, conducting search and rescue operations, and responding to threats posed by unmanned surface vehicles.

In addition, interventions were simulated in the event of marine pollution and to control fishing activities. The scenarios were carried out with the participation of Romanian authorities and international partners involved in the exercise.

The exercise was organised by Frontex, the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA), and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), and hosted by Romania.

The activities involved ships from the Romanian and Bulgarian border police and the Romanian naval forces, as well as helicopters from the Romanian General Inspectorate of Aviation. Representatives and resources from the Romanian Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture and the Romanian Naval Authority were also present, with each organisation taking part in scenarios specific to their area of expertise.

Senior officials in attendance included Police General Quaestor and State Secretary Bogdan Despescu, General Inspector of the Romanian Border Police Cornel-Laurian Stoica, Frontex Contingent Commander Paul Muckian, and Frontex's Deputy Executive Director for Operations Dr Lars Gerdes. Operational leaders from Frontex and representatives of several Member States were also present.

Dr Lars Gerdes, Frontex's Deputy Executive Director for Operations, praised the professionalism of the Romanian Coast Guard and highlighted the consistent engagement of the Romanian Border Police at all levels of cooperation in achieving the common goal of safer EU external borders.

Currently, more than 250 Frontex officers are deployed in Romania, a country that provides both a trusted platform for operational deployment and acts as a hub for strengthening EU cooperation.