MEPs to clash with council over maritime safety

2623, 26/09/08

The European parliament looks set to clash with EU governments over a set of legislative proposals to strengthen the bloc's maritime safety rules.  In a second-reading vote on Wednesday, MEPs re-approved amendments it adopted last year, including a call for stricter port inspection rules (EED 25/04/07 http://www.endseuropedaily.com/articles/index.cfm?action=article&ref=23082).

Port inspections is one of the main areas of disagreement between MEPs and governments.  Last year, EU transport ministers rejected the parliament's proposed changes in this area and agreed less stringent requirements (EED 08/06/07 http://www.endseuropedaily.com/articles/index.cfm?action=article&ref=23364). At an informal meeting in September, the ministers said they were keen to "find a positive outcome" on the issue (EED 02/09/08 http://www.endseuropedaily.com/articles/index.cfm?action=article&ref=26052).

But MEPs seem to believe that ministers could refuse to budge on port inspections and other sticking points, which would means the two sides having to begin conciliation talks.  MEPs urged the French presidency find a compromise to avoid this scenario.  Transport ministers will discuss the entire maritime safety package, known as Erika III, in October.  

The disagreements between MEPs and governments on port inspections include the vessel inspection rate that national authorities would have to meet.  Another issue concerns ships calling outside EU ports at offshore anchorages.  Governments say they should be excluded from inspection rules while MEPs want to include them. 

Ministers have adopted a joint position on only five of Erika III's seven legislative proposals, and so far there is no agreement with the parliament on any of them. MEPs urged governments to agree a stance on the two remaining proposals, concerning flag state obligations and civil liability, as soon as possible. 

Follow-up: European parliament http://www.europarl.europa.eu/, tel: +32 2 284 2111, plus press release http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/062-37885-266-09-39-910-20080923IPR37884-22-09-2008-2008-false/default_en.htm and texts adopted http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+TA+20080924+TOC+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language=EN.