Brussels, 27/02/2009 (Agence Europe) - The EU Council of Ministers has adopted four legislative acts that make up the third package on maritime safety in accordance with the compromise reached at the end of 2008 with the European Parliament (see details in EUROPE 9800). The four texts adopted will aim to strengthen the security of maritime transport in Europe by improving accident prevention and investigations into accidents and by strengthening vessel quality control.
The legislative texts formally approved are: - a regulation on common rules and standards for ship inspection and survey organisations; - a directive on port state control; - a directive amending Directive 2002/59/EC establishing a Community vessel traffic monitoring and information system; - and a directive establishing the fundamental principles governing the investigation of accidents in the maritime transport sector and amending Directives 1999/35/EC and 2002/59/EC. (L.C./transl.jl)