EU parliament on 'collision course' with member states over maritime safety

By Martin Banks - 25th September 2008

---

MEPs have endorsed key proposals designed to avoid a repeat of the Erika and Prestige oil tanker disasters.

A package of measures which deal with safety requirements, ship safety standards and liability for maritime carriers was adopted by parliament’s plenary on Wednesday.

The reports approved by MEPs introduce a number of proposals on safety and environmental issues aimed at improving port inspection and traffic monitoring, refuge for ships in distress and liability for carriers in the event of accidents.

However, parliament is now set on a collision course with member states, some of whom want to water down the commission’s proposals.

Belgian ALDE MEP Dirk Sterckx, parliament’s coordinator on the whole package, said, “In the aftermath of the Erika and the Prestige accidents we finally have succeeded in developing a quick and efficient system for giving assistance to ships in difficulty near our coasts. I hope we can find a quick agreement with the council on these proposals. We need this system if we want to avoid disasters like Prestige or Erika."

The adopted reports will need now to be approved by member states, whose transport ministers will discuss the package at their meeting on 8 October.

Sterckx added, “We fully support the efforts of the French presidency to reach an agreement with parliament on all the proposals put forward by the commission.”

More reaction came from German Green MEP and party transport spokesman Michael Cramer, who said: "The Greens welcome the commission's seven legislative proposals. EU countries must now move quickly to prevent a repeat of incidents such as the Estonia, Erika and Prestige disasters.

“Sailors and passengers have lost their lives because of inadequate safety rules and measures. Accidents have also caused serious environmental damage on the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Black Sea coasts. Tax payers, not polluters, have had to carry the costs.

“Much needed European legislation must not be delayed because of national interests. The maritime package must be adopted in its entirety to improve safety at sea. We call on transport ministers to swiftly reach a common position on civil liability and flag state obligations."

He added, “It is absurd that member states are trying to block EU legislation by referring to rules in the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which they have not adopted into national legislation themselves. Action is needed now before Europe is hit by another disaster at sea.”

Scottish Nationalist MEP Ian Hudghton said, “I'm reasonably pleased with the outcome. We've certainly sent a signal to the commission and to transport ministers that we're serious about improving maritime safety without placing unrealistic burdens on the industry.

"I have some concerns about the measures dealing with the liability of carriers in the event of accidents, but I'm optimistic these issues can be resolved during the passage of this legislation."

The outcome of the vote was also welcomed by Xavier Gizard, secretary general of the Rennes-based Conference of Peripheral and Maritime Regions (CPMR), who said, “After years of discussion it would be a pity to have a weak package. All member states should understand that maritime safety is a priority for those European citizens living on coast which represent 50 per cent of Europe’s population.

“Of course, such a policy is not given. However, it costs less to member states than a major maritime accident. We believe that the engagement of EU commissioners like Joe Borg will help the European parliament to maintain its position during the discussion with council.

“If we want to be coherent, the creation of the European maritime policy must also be linked to a regulation on vessel safety.”