Brussels, 04/09/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 4 September, the European Parliament transport committee (TRAN) confirmed its disagreement with the Council over the third maritime package. Meeting on the fringe of the plenary session in Brussels, committee members almost unanimously adopted the recommendations for the second reading relating to six reports on the five proposals that have already been the subject of a Council common position (the proposal on classification societies was divided into two parts). MEPs maintained most of the amendments adopted by Parliament at first reading (EUROPE 9414), while including elements of the two proposals blocked at Council level, namely that on the obligations of the flag state and that on the civil liability of vessel owners. These elements were put into three different reports: the report Community vessel traffic monitoring and information, the report on ship inspections and survey organisations and the report on port state control. Pending the vote in Parliament second reading, on 23 September, both parties will continue to seek a compromise, especially on the two proposals blocked. Coreper should return to the dossier on 12 September with concrete proposals likely to close the gap between the positions of Parliament and member states, most of which reject a Community maritime security regime (see EUROPE 9731). Parliament is expected to meet on 16 September to prepare its stance for second reading, depending on what is decided at Council level. Transport ministers should consolidate their position during the Transport Council on 9 October after which, if there is still disagreement, rapid conciliation procedure may be initiated, according to the chairman of the transport committee, Paolo Costa (ALDE, Italy).
For now, the committee calls for: - the setting in place of an independent competent authority for the decision to accommodate vessels in distress, independently of financial guarantees and insurance; - a system of indemnities for ports that take in vessels in distress; - a civil liability scheme for shipowners conform to the LLMC (Limited Liability Maritime Claims) 1996 convention of the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) and financial guarantees in the event of abandonment of seafarers also in line with IMO norms and standards; - the payment of financial advances in the case of decease, serious injury or invalidity of passengers; - extension of the scope of the regulation on the liability of carriers, including on waterways; - 100% compulsory inspections for vessels in ports or moored and the permanent banning of a vessel at its third immobilisation; - and for all fishing vessels of over 15 metres (contrary to what was voted in first reading) to be equipped with automatic identification systems (AIS). (A.By./transl.jl)