Brussels, 29/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - Institutional trilogue negotiations on the revised directive on the responsibilities of the flag state concluded with an informal agreement on Tuesday 28 May. This agreement will still need to be formally approved by the Council and the European Parliament in the next few weeks. The revision of Directive 2009/13/EC will help align European legislation with the rules, standards and principles of the 2006Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), negotiated between ship owners and transport workers' unions. Irish Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar explained that “the safety and welfare of those working in the maritime sector is vital. Today's agreement on the EU Directive on Flag State control, following on from last month's agreement on Port State control, is a key milestone in implementing the Maritime Labour Convention”.
Discussions covered the level of workers' protection to ensure that it was not lowered compliance control and certificates, and inspection systems. (MD/transl.fl)