In response to the call by Member States for a carbon-neutral, safe, automated and competitive European maritime transport system (see EUROPE 12501/16), the European Commission is considering revising Directive 2009/18 governing the investigation of accidents in the maritime transport sector, Directive 2009/16 on port State control and Directive 2009/21 on compliance with flag State requirements.
The European institution has published three initial impact assessments in this respect, open for comment from 9 October to 20 November.
As regards the first Directive, the Commission says that an update is necessary in the light of the lessons learnt from its implementation and the changes that have occurred since the adoption of the current legislation.
In particular, a revision would address the lack of investigation of accidents involving fishing vessels under 15 metres in length that are disproportionately involved in fatal accidents.
In addition, it would introduce clearer definitions and more precise provisions on, for example, types of ships or the circumstances of accidents.
A comprehensive legislative proposal would finally allow the Directive to be reviewed in light, inter alia, of developments in the International Maritime Organization Code and the entry into force of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
On the other two texts, the Commission stresses that a revision would address the “challenges” for EU Member States with seaports on the one hand and for flag states, shipowners and ships on the other hand in the context of the greening of maritime transport.
These challenges include the use of LPG and hydrogen as alternative fuels, the use of autonomous vessels, the electrification of coasts and near-shore navigation, but also the implementation of intelligent systems for traffic control, monitoring and management, and increasing levels of automation. (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)