Port State Control Directive News

On October 29, the current European Commission, which according to schedule will be replaced by a new team from the end of next year, presented its final work programme. Of particular interest to tanker owners is that for 2004 the Commission confirmed its intention to present a proposal for an "Erika III" package on maritime safety before May 2004. 3) Regulation on the compliance with IMO flag State rules: the aim of this proposal will be to ensure that flag state rules are applied by all flag States in the enlarged EU. 5) Directive on Maritime Accident Investigation: this proposal will establish a legal framework for inquiries following accidents.

of the Erika I package. adopted at the meeting. The third element of the Erika I package of proposals, the EU rules on the phasing out of single-hull tankers(identical to the changes in MARPOL 13G) will be adopted soon but are still being translated into all the eleven official EU languages. INTERTANKO will revert with a more detailed analysis of the adopted directives in due course. which they emerged from the so-called conciliation procedure in November. much more stringent procedures for transparency and information exchange as well as better targeting, compulsory VDRs from 2007/8 and a system for banning 'repeated sinners' flying flags with a record of poor performance in the Paris MOU area.