European Maritime Safety Agency
Project:
New digital platform that unified various data sources into a single system, in real-time.
Services
UX & UI Designer
Client
EMSA
EMSA
Project Overview
EMSA is responsible for monitoring maritime traffic and ensuring safety and environmental protection across European waters. The agency needed a new digital platform that unified various data sources into a single system — accessible via web and mobile, in real-time.
While the agency’s previous system was a heavy, locally installed application, this new solution required a cloud-based, mobile-first experience capable of operating in low-connectivity or offline environments at sea.
I was responsible for the full UX and UI of the mobile solution (iPhone and iPad), from strategy to delivery.
Challenge
The previous system took up to 20 minutes to load map data layers — a critical issue in contexts where users operate on vessels with limited connectivity (3G, 4G or offline).
My key design challenge was to create a fast, adaptive, and usable interface for mobile — without compromising the complexity and richness of the maritime data.
UX Solution
Layer Management Reimagined
Instead of loading all map layers at once (vessels, weather, routes, alerts, satellite views, etc.), I designed a modular layer grid that allows users to activate only what’s relevant — based on bandwidth and mission priorities.
Data Clustering for Performance
In conditions of low internet speed or offline mode:
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Vessels are grouped into dynamic clusters, showing counts instead of individual markers.
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As connectivity improves, the clusters progressively expand into real vessel data.
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This significantly reduced loading times and increased usability in operational conditions.
Progressive Enhancement
I designed the mobile experience to scale based on context:
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Full data for high-speed connections
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Summary or offline mode for degraded connections
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Clear indicators of data freshness and connectivity status
Process & Workflow
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Worked in weekly agile sprints with cross-functional teams (developers, EMSA stakeholders, project managers)
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Each sprint delivered UI updates, user flows and clickable prototypes for review
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Conducted design walkthroughs and demos directly with stakeholders
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Constant iteration based on operational feedback and technical feasibility
Results & Impact
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Loading times dropped from 20+ minutes to under 10 seconds in most mobile contexts
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Interface adaptable to real-world maritime environments with unstable or no connection
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Stakeholders adopted the grid & clustering logic as part of their core UX pattern for future products
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Mobile version now serves as a strategic operational tool onboard patrol vessels and within member state agencies
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The solution supports real-time, offline and asynchronous scenarios without compromising on mission-critical data
Alignment with
Innovagency’s Delivery
While the agency showcases the EMSA platform as a modular and scalable real-time maritime monitoring system, my direct contribution focused on making that vision usable and effective in mobile contexts — where connectivity, speed, and clarity are mission-critical.
I contributed beyond just “mobile interface design”.
I shaped the data loading logic, performance model, and progressive UI strategy that allowed the platform to function under real maritime constraints.
