Brussels, 28/11/2002 (Agence Europe) - the European Commission is expected to adopt a communication next Tuesday in the wake of the sinking of the Prestige oil tanker off the coast of Galicia. It is expected to recommend to Member States to speed up their application of measures pertaining to the ERIKA I and II packages, as well as propose additional measures. In its communication, the Commission is expected to publish a list of boats that are banned from entering European ports, according to legislation in the ERIKA I package (which includes a gradual calendar for the withdrawal of single hull tankers) and call on Member States to speed up the application of ERIKA I and II package measures, particularly in the area of recruiting inspectors for controlling the ports in each country, while ensuring a high level of inspections in all EU ports of ships, including those just stopping for re-provisioning reasons. The Commission is also expected to propose additional initiatives for strengthening maritime safety. Therefore, it will ask Member States to ban heavy oils in single hull boats and support future proposals to strengthen financial responsibility for ships, shipbuilders and shippers in cases of serious accidents and put into place financial sanctions and penalties, as well as compensation. The Commission will also be asking for the support of Member States during discussions at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), for example, with the creating of obligatory maritime routes and restricted sea navigation zones. It is especially counting on the support of Member States for the IMO's additional compensation fund to be swiftly implemented and that the ceiling is set at EUR one billion. The Commission is intending to appeal to the oil industry to sail single hull oil tankers due to the simple reason of their advanced age.