Modernising EU rules on maritime safety and preventing water pollution from ships are the aims of a new Commission package. The proposals will equip the EU with new tools to support clean and modern shipping. They will also align EU rules with international regulations. Here’s a summary of what the Commission proposes.
With 75% of the EU's external trade seaborne: maritime transport is the artery of a globalised economy, but it is also a lifeline for the EU's islands and peripheral and remote maritime regions. Although maritime safety in EU waters is very high, with few fatalities and no recent major oil spills, more than 2,000 marine accidents and incidents are reported yearly.
The proposal includes clear requirements for flag State inspections based on international rules, as well as specific training sessions by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) for national administrations to enhance the controls that Member State authorities have over their fleets. This will improve maritime safety and reduce the risks of environmental pollution, ensuring that EU flag States continue to stand for high-quality shipping services.
The proposal also updates the way ships are targeted for inspection, to reflect new requirements. Inspections will attach more importance to the environmental related performance and deficiencies of ships, in determining their risk profile. Other changes will further improve Member States' capacity to detect and correct lack of compliance with safety or with environmental and pollution prevention rules and standards.
COM 2023 268 Maritime safety: at the heart of clean and modern shipping
COM 2023 270 Accident investigation
COM 2023 271 Flag state requirements
COM 2023 273 Ship source pollution
![[Factsheet Maritime safety]](https://blue-economy-observatory.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_small_no_crop/public/2023-06/Factsheet_Maritime%20Safety.JPG?itok=qHhvGTJZ)
Details
- Publication date
- 7 June 2023