Brussels, 18/10/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament's Transport Committee unanimously adopted two reports on draft directives aimed at improving the stability of ferries carrying passengers in national and international waters (co-decision, first reading). The two reports, by Bernard Poignant (French, PES) and Carlos Ripoll I Martinez Bedoy (Spanish, EPP-ED) are on the agenda of Parliament's plenary session in Brussels on 6 and 7 November.
By adopting the Poignant report on the draft directive aimed at improving the stability of ferries carrying passengers in national and international waters, the parliamentary committee recognises the need of applying the specific stability specifications set out in the Stockholm agreement to all RR passenger vessels on international voyages from or to the EU. This agreement (concluded in 1996 by Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom), for ships to resist capsizing even when the deck is swamped by a certain quantity of water, provides for stricter stability standards than those provided for by the SOLAS 90 international standards. Agreeing with the European Commission, the rapporteur considers that there is no technical, economic or safety justification for a differentiation in stability specifications between north and south of the Community. The parliamentary committee has, however, decided to prolong the transition period for vessels already having been modified to comply with the SOLAS 90 stability specifications: these will have to comply with the Stockholm standards on 1 October 2015 instead of 2010.
By adopting the Ripoll report on the draft directive amending Directive 98/18/EC establishing safety standards for passenger ships, the parliamentary committee recognises the need, for vessels sailing in national European waters, to apply the same stability standards as those imposed on passenger RR ships on international voyages, in relation to their age and maritime area (class A, B, C and D). It approves most of the proposal's provisions (see EUROPE of 29 March) that provide for a timetable for ships to comply with the provisions of the Stockholm agreement depending on their category (A, B, C, D), and welcomes the abolition of the exemption granted to Greek vessels (may be operated without satisfying safety requirements until aged 35) from 1 January 2005. Without introducing an amendment on the subject, the rapporteur has, however, asked the Commission for explanations on the provisions concerning category C and D ships. He considers that "for these classes of ships, SOLAS standards seem appropriate". Furthermore, the parliamentary committee adopted amendments strengthening the provisions for people with reduced mobility so that: (1) they have easy access from the deck to below deck, and not only on embarking and disembarking; (2) all people, including those with sensorial or cognitive disabilities, have access to alarm systems.