The European Commission presented, on Thursday 1 June, five legislative proposals aimed at modernising EU rules on maritime safety. These rules are also designed to prevent water pollution from ships.
According to the Commission’s press release, 75% of the EU’s external trade is seaborne, which is also a lifeline to the EU’s islands and peripheral and remote maritime regions. More than 2,000 marine accidents and incidents are still reported every year, despite a very high level of maritime safety and the absence of any recent oil spills.
“Today’s package of proposals reflects latest global developments, ensures Member States are properly equipped to carry out inspections, drawing on the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA)’s expertise, and promotes digitalisation as a mean to increase efficiency and information sharing between administrations”, commented Adina Vălean, Commissioner for Transport, in a press release.
Tighter controls. This section covers four main proposals: - clear requirements for flag State inspections; - an extension of Port State control; - digitalisation of flag State and Port State control operations; - additional support from EMSA.
Flag States will also be able to share information more easily on the results of the inspections they carry out and on compliance problems in general. Member States may choose to apply port State control to fishing vessels over 24 metres calling at EU ports. At the same time, the Member States would have to report the most serious accidents involving fishing vessels of less than 15 metres and screen them for any possible lessons to be learned.
Tackling pollution. To prevent any type of illegal discharge into European seas, the scope of application has been extended to a wider range of polluting substances. In addition to illegal discharges of hydrocarbons and noxious liquid substances, the Commission has proposed that the scope of the rules be extended to illegal discharges of harmful substances transported in packages, waste water, waste and discharges of water and residues from exhaust gas cleaning systems.
EMSA’s database for monitoring and sharing information, CleanSeaNet, has also been extended. The legal framework for penalties and their enforcement has also been strengthened.
EMSA’s revamped mandate. The proposal updates EMSA’s mandate to better reflect the growing role it is playing, including the implementation of the FuelEU Maritime Regulation (see EUROPE 13187/36), and the extension of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) to maritime transport (see EUROPE 13184/22).
For more information: https://aeur.eu/f/778 (Original version in French by Anne Damiani)