Brussels, 29/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - Anonymity is the main concern of the chairman of the European Parliament's transport committee, Brian Simpson (S&D, United Kingdom), in his report on what amendments should be made to align European legislation on training and qualifications for seafarers, as included in the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) legislation. The STWC Convention on this was amended in 2010 in Manila and the amendments entered into force on 1 January 2012. They therefore need to be incorporated into European law.
The only new change introduced by Brian Simpson, which received the broad support of his colleagues at the transport commission, involved the gathering of statistical data on employment in the maritime sector, so that they have a clearer idea of the situation regarding seafarers. Nonetheless, this legislation highlights the importance of protecting the anonymity of those involved. Some MEPs, such as Georgios Koumoutsakos (EPP, Greece) and Dominique Vlasto (EPP, France) would like to have additional provisions on piracy but Simpson said that he was unable to include these demands because this is would go beyond the remit of application and that the only room to manoeuvre was within European law. The rapporteur acknowledged the delays in transposing the legislation, which is mainly because of the European Parliament but, like the European Commission, he was confident that the text would be finalised under Danish presidency. Parliament is expected to adopt the report during the June plenary session. (MD/trans/fl)