Brussels, 18/08/2000 (Agence Europe) - In a report drawn up by the Euro-MPs Elisa Damiao (Portuguese Socialist) and Francoise Grossetete (French EPP) for the Alliance of Maritime Regional Interests in Europe (AMRIE), the European Commission is urged to lead the way, within the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), in fitting black boxes on all existing cargo ships and not only, as is being envisaged, on new ships. AMRIE considers that the rapid fitting of data recording systems on all ships is essential if the Commission wishes to establish a "culture of safety" in shipping.
AMRIE, moreover, considers that it would be economically damaging for Europe's shipping industry to unilaterally ban single hull tankers. It would be counterproductive in the sense that, on the one hand, because of a shortage of double-hull tankers, oil supply to the EU could be restricted and Member States may be forced to turn towards flags of convenience, and, on the other, these requirements would only be applicable to ships using EU ports and not ships passing through EU waters. AMRIE recommends to the Commission proposing, as alternative to a ban on single-hull tankers, the introduction of a tax, progressive with the age of this type of ship. It also calls for enhanced controls onboard ships, with an increase, from 250 to over 600, in the number of inspectors in EU ports.