Tag: maritime transport

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the United Nations shipping agency, on Friday (17 July) agreed to voluntary proposals aimed at cutting carbon emissions, but environmental groups said it fell short of what was needed.

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

The European Parliament is heading for a clash with member states after it pushed through new rules on flag-state compliance and the civil liability of shipowners, despite opposition from governments.

The Commission has presented plans aimed at making freight transport in the EU more efficient and sustainable, through improved logistics and by promoting a more frequent use of cleaner modes of transport such as rail and water transport.

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. 

The atrocities of 11 September 2001 in New York, the Madrid train bombing in 2004 and the London Underground attacks in July 2005 have indicated terrorists' willingness to target infrastructures such as transport, energy and communication. On 12 December 2006, the European Commission adopted a Communication to improve the protection of European Critical Infrastructure (ECI) from terrorism.

In 2001, the Commission presented a White Paper proposing 60 measures to overhaul the EU’s transport policy in order to make it more sustainable and avoid huge economic losses due to congestion, pollution and accidents. A 2006 mid-term update attempts to re-balance the policy towards economic objectives.

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.

A technology platform of industry, national authorities, regulatory bodies, research centres and universities on the maritime industry sector has been launched to maintain Europe's leading position in the industry. 

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.

Transport ministers have agreed that all citizens should have the same ten-year driving licence across the EU. Despite the Dutch Presidency's efforts to reach a compromise on the Eurovignette directive, no agreement was possible.