06/07/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 6 July, as foreseen, the European Parliament signed up to the agreement reached on the administrative formalities for ships entering and departing from EU ports. The report by Dirk Sterckx (ALDE, Belgium) on this issue (EUROPE 10179) was approved by 640 votes to 20 and 19 abstentions. Member states and the maritime sector now have five years to set in place one-stop shops, where information relating to shipping can be received by electronic means. Recognition of a standard form and the setting up a shared electronic system will allow for fast and easy exchange of information between ships and ports. Entry into force of the directive is foreseen for 2013. (A.By./transl.jl