Brussels, 26/01/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament committee on transport is expected, when it meets again on 10 February, to give second reading approval to the last two texts of the third maritime package (Erika III). It should adopt the report by Gilles Savary (PES, France) on the proposal for a directive on financial guarantees for shipowners (establishing a compulsory insurance scheme for shipowners), and that by Emanuel Fernandes (PES, Portugal) on the obligations incumbent upon the port state. Both rapporteurs, who presented their reports last week, rallied to the joint position reached by the Council last October (see EUROPE 9758), thus endorsing adoption of the package, many of the texts of which were covered by a conciliation agreement in December 2008 (see EUROPE 9800). The Parliament is expected to take a stance on the third package as a whole during the plenary session in March (9-12 March). During its meeting on 10 February, the transport committee is likely to take a stance at first reading on the report by Luis de Grandes Pascual (EPP-ED, Spain) on the proposal for a directive relating to pollution caused by ships at sea. The text, which was examined by members of the committee on 21 January, suggests among other things that repeated minor offences committed by maritime carriers should be considered as criminal offences. According to the rapporteur, such a solution would dissuade maritime transporters from dumping their waste at sea - a current practice that saves money - rather than invest in the modifications that their vessels would require (it being less costly to pay an administrative fine than to adapt a ship to the current legislation on maritime pollution). Informal dialogue is continuing with Council and the Czech EU Presidency with a view to reaching an agreement at first reading on this latest text. The plenary vote is scheduled for the second session in March (25-26 March). (A.By./transl.jl)