Brussels, 05/12/2000 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the European Commission is expected to adopt a new series of proposals for improving maritime safety in Europe, completing the first maritime package under discussion between the Parliament and Council. This "Maritime Package II" provides for:
Strengthened control and follow-up measures for ships in European waters through the use of technological innovations (systems allowing the automatic identification of vessels, black boxes, etc.) and by strengthening the power of coastal States to intervene.
Enhanced system of responsibility and compensation in the case of damage. The Commission proposes the creation of a European Fund, the COPE, completing the international compensation system, which is currently limited to a ceiling of EUR 200 million. The European Fund would have a ceiling of one billion euros. It would mainly compensate victims of oil slicks in European waters, who have not received full compensation for damage done in the context of the international system. COPE would be financed by companies that receive oil in the EU, and all those who receive more than 150,000 tonnes of crude oil or heavy fuel annually. The Commission also proposes that sanctions be imposed when there is serious negligence, imputable to any person involved in the maritime transport of hydrocarbon fuels.
Creation of European maritime safety body in the form of an Agency or European Office (the question of legal status has not yet been resolved).