Third EU maritime safety package to enter force

Wednesday 11 March 2009

The EU's third package of maritime safety laws known as Erika III is to enter force after the European parliament gave its final approval to the rules on Wednesday, based on an agreement struck with governments in December.

MEPs approved seven laws agreed through conciliation talks, ending three years of negotiations with the council of ministers. Five of them were rubber stamped by EU home affairs ministers last month (EE 24/02/09 http://www.endseurope.com/20744).

Two other laws on flag state obligations and civil liability will not require ministerial endorsement now they have been backed by MEPs. The maritime safety package is expected to be published in the EU's official journal shortly.

Follow-up: Press releases from parliament

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/062-51397-068-03-11-910-20090310IPR51396-09-03-2009-2009-true/default_en.htm and European commission

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/390&format=HTML.

See also council press release about February's ministerial meeting (p31)

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/jha/106371.pdf.

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