Tag: maritime safety

The European Commission this week announced a series of measures aimed at greening the maritime transport sector to boost its global competitiveness.

A package of legislative measures aimed at protecting Europe from maritime accidents and pollution looks likely to face a special 'last chance' conciliation procedure as the European Parliament yesterday (24 September) refused to give in to national governments' attempts to water down the new rules.

EU transport ministers have rejected Commission proposals to tighten the bloc's protection against maritime pollution. But they came closer to a deal on the controversial opening up of haulage and coach services to increased competition. 

The Commission has tabled a revised version of an EU directive imposing criminal sanctions in cases of maritime pollution. The original proposal had to be modified following a European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling last year.

A vote in the Transport Council on planned rules for beefing-up shipping standards and preventing accidents at sea saw member states confirm their opposition to Parliament's stance on issues such as ship inspections and assistance for vessels in distress. 

Parliament has approved measures to increase safety at sea in hope of averting similar disasters to those caused by the sinking of the Erika and Prestige oil tankers. Member states now want more flexibility for ship inspections and dealing with vessels in distress.

The Council agreed on a draft directive that aims to ensure European seas and oceans are kept pollution-free and productive. But environmentalists attack what they perceive as the directive's "weak objectives" and lack of serious commitment.

MEPs have adopted a first-reading report in which they back granting €154 million to its Agency responsible for maritime safety (EMSA) in order to better respond to pollution caused by ships.

The Commission will kick-start a public debate in May with a 'Green paper' proposing a comprehensive approach to issues as diverse as fisheries, shipbuilding, tourism, energy, environmental protection and maritime safety.

The Commission is launching consultations for an all-encompassing approach to maritime and coastland policy aimed at developing sustainable economic activity. Sectors concerned include fisheries, tourism, energy and transport.

On 19 January 2004 Parliament's transport committee voted in favour of a proposed directive enhancing port security and adopted amendments proposed by the rapporteur Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert.

MEPs have criticised Spain for its handling of the 2002 Prestige oil tanker disaster and urged the creation of an EU coastguard to prevent similar incidents in the future.

MEPs voted for illegal pollution by ships, in particular deliberate discharges at sea of waste and cargo residues (such as oil and chemicals), to be made a criminal offence.

Under pressure from the EU, the International Maritime Organisation will meet on 4-5 December to discuss changes to worldwide rules on tankers.

During their Council meeting held on 9 October, Transport Ministers held a debate in first reading on maritime transport security.

On 30 April, the EP's Transport Committee approved its report on the phase-out of single hull tankers. To ensure a quick entry into force of the new rules, it did not adopt any amendments that might be subject to controversy between the institutions.

With a view to closing the transport chapter still this year, Romania has announced it would have all its ships inspected by March 2003 to make sure they comply with European safety standards.

On 6 December, the Transport Council agreed on a number of important measures to increase the safety of oil tankers entering European ports. It decided to ban single-hull tankers carrying heavy fuel oil from entering EU ports with immediate effect.

In response to allegations that the EU had failed to act on maritime safety, the Commission is to propose tougher maritime safety rules including a ban on 65 "floating rust buckets" from EU waters.

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) agreed to phase out single-hull tankers by 2015

Transport ministers reach agreement on the first package of new legislation to improve maritime safety

European Parliament take action in increasing maritime safety and environment protection.