Brussels, 23/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - At its plenary session on Wednesday 23 May, the European Parliament approved the revision of the regulation on the accelerated introduction of double hulls for vessels. The report by Dominique Riquet (EPP, France) was adopted by a vast majority (656 votes in favour, 4 against and 15 abstentions) as there was nothing controversial about the revision initiative. It consisted mainly of transposing into a regulation dating from 2002 new international rules set in place by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and setting a time limit on the European Commission's right to use delegated acts.
Fight against pollution. The regulation on double-hulled vessels, however, remains of vital importance in the fight against marine pollution. Adding a second internal sheet to a vessel with a single hull, made up of bottom and side plating, makes it possible to prevent the contents of the tanks from spilling into the sea water and causing major hydrocarbon pollution, in the event of a collision or running aground. It is therefore vital that single-hulled vessels speed up their compliance.
International Maritime Organisation. The revision of the regulation approved by the Parliament also brings in technical modifications to reflect the stricter international rules laid down by the IMO. With the EU demanding the use of double hulls for all vessels weighing anchor in European ports, the IMO has extended the requirement to all vessels in transit along its coasts as well. Efforts have also been made to make the regulation more transparent and easier to use by the European institutions.
Delegated acts and objection time. This is notably the case for the use of delegated acts, which exempt the Commission from having to obtain the consent of the Parliament and Council through the ordinary legislative channel. The Parliament has ensured that the authorisation to use delegated acts is revised every five years. The duration of the delegation of power to the Commission will therefore be limited to this period of time, whereas the Commission's initial proposal laid down an unlimited period for this purpose. Additionally, the Parliament and Council will have four months to put forward an objection to a delegated act. (MD/transl.fl)