Brussels, 11/12/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 12 December the Transport Council obtained a general orientation on the draft directive to simplify and strengthen the current system for controlling ships in the port of a given state. The proposal (which is part of the third maritime package presented in 2005 by the European Commission) aims to improve the effectiveness and quality of inspections carried out by the port in the country where a ship docks by concentrating on the “bad” ships. EU transport ministers adopted a compromise amended by the Finnish presidency which stipulates that the field of application for the proposal will focus on “boats in ports which carry out an interface ship/port activity”. A ship/port interface activity can take place when a ship is docking or in shelter in a port or place under the jurisdiction of a port. The compromise also envisages greater manoeuvrability in the proposal's flexibility mechanisms as part of the inspections enabling Member States to “ not carry out 5% of inspections on 'high risk' ships” and 10% on other vessels. It also enables Member States to put an end to non-specified periods where access is rejected to Community ports for vessels following a 36 month banishment or if the vessel in question fulfils certain conditions. It also stipulates that the “directive will apply to all Member States from the same day, after a transposition timeframe of 36 months”. During the debate, Transport Commissioner, Jacques Barrot regretted the flexibility envisaged in the compromise for inspections of high risk ships. He also stated that the compromise mechanism on banishment constituted a “serious watering down of the proposal”. He was unhappy with the transposition timeframe obtained in the compromise and asked why hey had to wait so long to find the right path. The European Parliament's opinion is expected in April 2007. (dt)