Commission requests 7 Member States to comply with new EU Port State Control regime
Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, France, Poland, Portugal and the United Kingdom The European Commission yesterday asked Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, France, Poland, Portugal and the United Kingdom to adopt national legislation to implement the new port state control regime to comply with European Union law.The Commission's request takes the form of a reasoned opinion under EU infringement procedures. If these Member States fail to inform the Commission within two months of the measures they have taken to ensure full compliance with EU law, the Commission could refer the case to the EU Court of Justice.The EU rulesFollowing the "Erika" and "Prestige" accidents off the European coasts, EU legislation on port state control was adopted in 2009 under the third maritime safety package.This directive reinforces as of 1 January 2011, Member States' obligations to inspect vessels calling at their ports. The new law requires more frequent inspections on ships posing a higher risk and extends the ban on substandard ships.The reason for actionCyprus, Estonia, and Portugal have failed to notify the Commission of the measures taken to enforce the new directive on port state control although required to do so by 31 December 2010. Belgium, France, Poland and the United Kingdom have notified ...
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