In an initial draft compromise dated 13 September, the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union is mainly suggesting technical changes to the European Commission proposal for revising the 2010/65/EU directive establishing a European Maritime Single Window environment (see EUROPE 12022).
The Commission proposal presented on 17 May as part of the third mobility package particularly aims to reduce the administrative costs of maritime transport. The Commission is therefore suggesting that a list of factors and a harmonised interface are drawn up relating to information requested when entering or leaving port but without formalities necessarily being the same.
Following consultation of the national delegations, the Austrian Presidency of the Council focused on suggestions for technical amendments and redrafting this proposal.
A few basic clarifications are required, however. The Commission is of the opinion that the national single window should publish ships’ arrival and departure times in electronic format, whereas the compromise suggests that this provision should not apply to “ships carrying sensitive cargo” if this creates a security threat.
The Austrian Presidency of the Council is also proposing that the Commission creates a Common Ship Sanitation Database that allows the national authorities to provide communication regarding and information about on-board inspections.
This compromise will be the subject of a discussion during the Council 'shipping' working party on Friday 28 September. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)