EU Adopts New Maritime Safety Laws

According to reports, the European Commission said it has adopted new laws to step up maritime safety in the EU. The commission said the new measures increase the responsibilities incumbent on EU member states to regulate vessels under their flag. It added that the rules will facilitate inspections carried out by the port state on suspect vessels. The EU executive said this will allow the EU to produce a 'blacklist' of shipping companies with vessels that do not meet international safety standards. The rules also update compensation measures for passengers. The update comes after previous EU measures. In October 2003, the EU prohibited single-hull tankers transporting fuel oil from entering or leaving European ports. It also adopted a timetable for the phase-out of the tankers by 2010. The commission updated measures on maritime safety after the Erika and Prestige tanker accidents in December 1999 and November 2002 respectively. Source: Forbes