03/11/2000 (Agence Europe) - The sinking of the chemical tanker Ievoli Sun "makes a mockery of" the maritime safety measures before the EU Council, commented the Secretary General of the European Transport Workers' Federartion (ETF), Doro Zinke. "The current proposals seek to eliminate vessels over 15 years of age that have been detained in port more than twice in the last 12 months and to phase out gradually single-hull vessels, replaced by double-hull vessels. But the Ievoli Sun was a double-hull vessel and was only 11 years old. It had been detained three times recently in the Netherlands", pointed out Doro Zinke in a press release. And he concluded: "If a vessel is not well maintained, despite having a double hull, the age limit on the vessel is utterly meaningless." "All ships should be inspected regularly", added the ETF official responsible for maritime transport, Eduardo Chagas.