Britannia Radio

The OJEU publishes directives and regulations of the Maritime ... Euroalert.net - Valladolid,Spain The Official Journal of the European Union has published in its issue of May 28, 2009 tworegulations and six directives setting the new legal framework for ... see all stories on this topic

e European Union

• 
• 

1. • 
   • 
   • 
   • 

   The OJEU publishes directives and regulations of the Maritime Security Package

   published on Thursday, May 28, 2009 under Transports

   The Official Journal of the European Union has published in its issue of May 28, 2009 two regulations and six directives setting the new legal framework for maritime transport and port legislation of European Union.

   Over recent years, ever more globalised trade connections and the developments in terms of world trade, energy markets, climate change concerns or security threats have stressed the importance of seaborne transport for the prosperity of Europe and its citizens. With over 80% of world trade being carried by sea, maritime transport remains the backbone of international trade.
   
   For the EU, the world’s most important exporter and the second biggest importer, shipping and related services are essential in helping European companies to compete globally.
   
   The European shipping industry is also one of Europe’s largest export industries. It provides transport services between Europe and the rest of the world and between third countries in all regions of the globe. In Europe, short-sea shipping is an essential part of the transport chain, carrying 40% of intra-European freight in ton-kilometres. With more than 400 million passengers passing through European ports each year, maritime transport has also a direct impact on the quality of life of European citizens (both as tourists and as inhabitants of islands and peripheral regions).
   
   Increase security in maritime transport is the main objective of all the issued measures: strategies to strengthen the inspection of ships calling at European ports, to improve the quality of European flags, implement systems for investigation of accidents and to create networking and sharing of data for monitoring ships in European waters, in order to obtain a complete picture of the movements of dangerous or polluting cargoes on ships, trying to achieve greater security in the inland sea. 
   
   Therefore, the "Erika III", whose aim is to protect the coasts of Europe against maritime disasters and improve the safety of passengers and crew, was approved by Parliament on March 11, 2009. The eight rules in it are designed to achieve these objectives as efficiently as possible.
   
   Standards have been published on the following subjects:

   • Regulation on common rules and standards for ship inspection and survey organisations.
   • Regulation on the liability of carriers of passengers by sea in the event of accidents.
   • Directive  on common rules and standards for ship inspection and survey organisations and for the relevant activities of maritime administrations.
   • Directive on port State control.
   • Directive establishing a Community vessel traffic monitoring and information system.
   • Directive establishing the fundamental principles governing the investigation of accidents in the maritime transport sector.
   • Directive on the insurance of shipowners for maritime claims.
   • Directive on compliance with flag State requirements.