The European Commission has developed five legislative proposals to provide EU countries with better procedures and tools to ensure safe, clean and modern shipping in their waters. After all, three-quarters of all EU foreign trade is transported by sea.
Modernisation
Three proposals focus on clear guidelines for the inspection of ships by their flag states, but also on adapting the rules for port state controls of foreign ships in the European Union to new international standards. In addition, these inspections, including accident investigations, should now also be able to be applied to the fisheries sector. Flag and port state controls are also to be digitalised and digital certificates approved.
Port State Control
Port State Control (PSC) is the inspection of foreign ships in their own harbours for their condition, compliance with international regulations and the legality of the crew (accommodation, remuneration, etc.) and management on board
Environmental protection
Another two proposals deal with air and water pollution from ships in the European area of application. To this end, the list of pollutants covered to date will be extended, the database of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) for monitoring and information exchange will be optimised (CleanSeaNet; satellite-based monitoring system for detecting and monitoring oil pollution in European waters) and a uniform legal framework with sanctions will be created.
Realisation
EMSA, which is based in Lisbon, will be upgraded in order to fulfil its growing role in the assigned areas of responsibility. Its competencies will then include ship safety and security, environmental and climate protection, maritime surveillance (satellites, aircraft, drones), coordination with the member states, crisis management and digitalisation.
Perspective
The package of proposals is intended to ensure that the Member States continue to position themselves appropriately and comparably for safety inspections in the future and that the exchange of information between the administrations also becomes more efficient through digitalisation.
Target mark
All proposals are designed to enable sustainable and smart mobility, as set out in the Green Deal and the EU's Action Plan to Combat Pollution. The goal is a climate-neutral continent by 2050, including the adoption of the FuelEU Maritime Regulation, which aims to accelerate the decarbonisation of the maritime industry by introducing renewable and low-carbon fuels and technologies.
Further procedure
In the next step, the proposals will be discussed and examined by the European Parliament and the European Council (the 27 heads of state and government) as part of the ordinary legislative procedure.
Source: gCaptain
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