MEPs of the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) discussed, on Tuesday 19 September, the draft report by Marian-Jean Marinescu (EPP, Romanian) on ship-source pollution and the introduction of penalties, particularly criminal penalties, for pollution offences. They want to amend the text, but are held back by the lack of visibility regarding international rules.
Presented in June (see EUROPE 13192/18), this revision of the directive is intended to transpose into EU law major amendments to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), the main international convention covering prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes. It is drawn up by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Mr Marinescu asked the Commission about the legal basis of the text. “An up-to-date and complete text of Marpol 73/78 and its related annexes is not available on the IMO’s website”, he wrote in the draft report. “This makes it burdensome for the sector, citizens and administrations to gain proper access to the text of Marpol 73/78 and other similar IMO conventions, and is an obstacle to full transparency and publicity in the IMO’s work”, he added.
In committee, he highlighted the fact that the directive will refer to annexes to the Convention that the EU “cannot control”. He suggested giving the Commission the option of amending the directive by means of a delegated act at any time when the MARPOL Convention is amended. Jutta Paulus (Greens/EFA, German) expressed her support for this solution.
She regretted that the text did not tackle the issue of noise pollution caused by ships, as “noise is a very relevant factor when it comes to the impact on marine biodiversity”. For his part, Pierre Karleskind (Renew Europe, French) announced that he would be tabling amendments on “diffuse pollution”. He mentioned the case of grounded goods, which also pollute maritime waters.
However, Bergur Løkke Rasmussen (Renew Europe, Danish) said that over-regulation should be avoided in order to “ensure a level playing field”. He added, however, that “it is still possible to make a few changes without going too far in disrupting international competition”.
Ágnes Cser, representative of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), welcomed the extension of the scope of application to various harmful substances and the introduction of criminal sanctions. “This directive is a step forward in protecting our planet”, she concluded.
MEPs have until Monday 25 September to table amendments. On the EU Council side, a compromise is being studied (see EUROPE 13227/27).
To read the draft report: https://aeur.eu/f/8nm (Original version in French by Anne Damiani)