The EC has put forward five legislative proposals aimed at updating EU maritime safety and water pollution prevention rules. The proposals aim to bring EU rules into line with global standards, improve implementation and enforcement by digitisation, and promote clean and modern shipping.
There are three proposals in the package that aim to improve maritime safety rules by focusing on port state control, maritime accident investigations, and other measures to reduce incidents and protect human life and reduce environmental pollution.
EMSA is expected to be a key player in implementing the new requirements by supporting member state administrations in enforcing the new rules.
Proposed requirements for flag state inspection based on international regulations
Specific EMSA training for national authorities to improve controls over their fleets
Reduce maritime safety risks and environmental pollution
Ensure EU flag states continue to provide “high quality maritime transport services”
Share information on results of inspections carried out by flag states and general compliance issues
Extend port state control to include additional international rules
New conventions such as Ballast Water and Sediments Conventions and Removal of Wrecks
Update the approach to ships targeted for inspection to reflect the new requirements
Add more importance to environmental related performance & deficiencies of ships to determine their risk profile
For cargo & passenger vessels of more than 5,000 Gross Tonnage (referred to as most polluting)
The ship risk profile shall take into account the IMO Carbon intensity indicator
Other changes will enhance the ability of Member States to identify and rectify instances of non-compliance with safety or environment and pollution prevention regulations and standards.
Port State control and accident investigations will be extended to cover fishing vessels.
The digitalisation of flag State and port State control processes will be implemented and the use of electronic certificates encouraged.
This will enable the use of information technology systems and databases operated by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).
The Commission is proposing to prevent any form of illegal discharges into the European seas.
“To achieve this, illegal discharges must be identified, followed up and punished,” said the Commission.
The proposal brings EU rules into line with international standards and expands the scope of the scope of illegal discharges to include oil, noxious liquid and hazardous substances carried in packaging, sewage and garbage as well as discharges from scrubbers, including waters and residues.
Air pollutant emissions are currently not covered by the ship's pollution directive, but the Commission has said it will look into how to include them in the future, given the impact they have on the air quality in ports and coastal areas.
Other proposals include optimising EMSA's Surveillance and Information sharing database CleanSeaNet and strengthening the legal framework to allow national authorities to take appropriate action in cases of illegal discharges and impose penalties.
In addition, the proposal updates EMSA's mandate to reflect the increasing role of the agency in a number of maritime transport sectors, including but not limited to:
Safety and pollution prevention and protection of the environment
The Commission and Member States will continue to rely on EMSA's support in the implementation of the FuelEU maritime Regulation and the
The Commission said that one of the main reasons for the revision was the need to align with the updated international regulations and the benefits of doing so. “If standards and rules are not aligned, it can lead to burdens and legal uncertainties for the shipping industry and national authorities, as well as a lack of level playing field and competitiveness for EU shipping.”
The Commission also stressed the importance of enforcing international environmental law by adapting rules for compliance and liability for illegal activities and pollution. It said that digitalisation presents a huge opportunity for improving safety and sustainability but that it must be used to its full potential. With autonomous ships and intelligent systems on the horizon, there is a need to prepare, test, update regulations, train and reskill, and pay more attention to the health and safety of seafarers, as well as the living conditions of maritime transport workers.
The EC said that the proposals will now be considered by the European Parliament (EC) and the Council (Council).
