Brussels, 29/06/2010 (Agence Europe) - Last week, the Council and the European Parliament reached an agreement in a first reading on the draft directive on declaration formalities applicable to boats (EUROPE 9823). Parliament is expected to approve the compromise during the July session, whereas Coreper gave its approval for the proposal during its meeting on 23 June. The compromise pushes back until 2015 (the initial proposal stipulated 2013) implementation of electronic data transmission systems. It also removes provisions on the introduction of English, as the common language of maritime administration, as sought by Parliament. The directive will apply to all maritime transport boats entering and leaving European ports. They will be obliged to transmit requested information (such as the flag being flown by the boat, registration number of the boat, the estimated time of arrival, etc) at least 24 hours before their arrival (or their departure from the port if the journey is less than 24 hours long). The information must be transmitted by 1 June 2015 at the latest, by e-mail for boats flying European flags. Until that date, member states will also have to set up single information points, which will receive all transmitted information and link it to all the information coming from electronic systems applied in maritime transport (SafeSeaNet, e-customs and others). The text does not contain any direct reference to the introduction of English as the language of communication between the boats and administration, but does appeal for member states to do all they can to facilitate written and oral communication in maritime traffic. The directive is expected to enter into force 20 days following its publication in the EU Official Journal. (A.By./transl.fl)