Brussels, 08/04/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission may soon adopt a communication and a draft regulation aimed at improving safety on ships and in port installations in order to prevent potential risk of attack. As announced by the Commissioner for Transport, Loyola de Palacio, during the Transport Council of 27 and 28 March, the aim is to transpose the maritime safety measures adopted at the diplomatic Conference of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in December 2002 into Community law. The Commission may also envisage additional measures in certain areas not covered by the IMO provisions and, for example, adopt a legislative proposal on the safety of Community ports.
Measures adopted by the IMO include compulsory provisions (automatic identification system for ships, the establishment of security plans) and recommendations for implementing these provisions (examination of safety plans, assessment of security in port installations). Such measures must be effective on 1 July 2004 at the latest and apply to vessels and port installations. The Commission hopes to harmonise implementation of the measures within the Community and ensure Community monitoring. It would also like to extend some of the provisions to intra-Community and national maritime traffic and make part of the IMO recommendations compulsory for the EU Member States. The proposal of regulation would make it necessary for Member States to keep each other informed, as well as the Commission and the IMO, of any details pertaining to the special measures taken to step up maritime security. All ships wishing to enter a Community port would also be subject to the obligation to provide the necessary information to the authorities concerned with regards safety. The Commission hopes that each Member State will designate a single national authority responsible for the safety of ships and port installations. Furthermore, it is to foresee a timetable for the implementation of certain measures approved by the IMO (for example, the appointment of the single national authority for 1 January 2004 or the approval of security plans for ships and port installations for 1 May 2004). Inspections would be carried out to verify whether the regulation's provisions have been implemented. Finally, the Commission hopes to be assisted by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) in carrying out its tasks.
The measures adopted by the IMO during December are based on an amendment to the International Conference for the safety of life at sea (SOLAS Convention) and the adoption of an international code for the safety of ships and port installations (ISPS Code).