On Wednesday 20 March, members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) approved agreements with the Council of the EU on two texts included in the maritime safety package: port State control and compliance with flag State requirements (see EUROPE 13359/13).
With 34 votes in favour and 1 abstention, the MEPs validated the agreement that will ensure clarity and consistency with international rules and procedures for port State control, in particular those of the Paris Memorandum of Understanding. The text also stipulates that the environmental parameters must have a significant impact on the ship risk profile, without disproportionately affecting the overall balance of the various parameters.
With 31 votes in favour, 1 against and 1 abstention, MEPs approved the agreement establishing an interoperable digital portal, which will serve as a ‘gateway’ for flag State inspectors. This will enable them to directly consult information stored in national databases.
The texts still have to be formally approved by the European Parliament at its April plenary session and by the EU Council.
Read the final agreement on port State control: https://aeur.eu/f/bfk ; and on compliance with flag State requirements: https://aeur.eu/f/bfl (Original version in French by Anne Damiani)