Brussels, 01/03/2007 (Agence Europe) - It was by a wide majority that, on Tuesday 27 February, the European Parliament transport committee adopted the seven reports that make up the third maritime package, following the line set out in the Commission proposals tightening conditions for registering a vessel in Europe and setting up a Community system for monitoring maritime traffic.
This third package as a whole, which seeks to improve safety of maritime transport and improve procedures following accidents, will be put to the vote in the plenary session in April. MEPs were, however, aware of the differing views of the Council, particularly with regard to the adoption of the report by Italian Socialist MEP Marta Vincenzi on the obligations of the flag state. In the report, which was adopted by a large majority (46 votes for, none against and one abstention), Ms Vincenzi favoured including, within Community law, the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) code on flag states' respect for international conventions and the obligation to respect this code, which would allow the imposition of sanctions for infringements. “Some member states,” she complained in her explanatory statement, “believe that the European Community is not competent in this area” and “believe that this would be a violation of the principle of subsidiarity”.
In line with the draft directive amending directive 2002/59/EC on creating a Community system for monitoring traffic and information, the rapporteur, Belgian Liberal Dirk Sterckx, proposed setting up independent authorities responsible for designating ports of refuge for vessels in distress, and equipping fishing vessels of over 15 metres with automatic identification systems (AIS). The Council preferred to use the term “competent authority” in the overall orientation on the directive in question set out on 9 June 2006 at the Transport Council in Luxembourg. A political agreement on this issue is expected at June's Transport Council. (aby)