Brussels considers acting on piracy and cruise safety
Security and safety measures to be taken European Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas has not ruled out taking unilateral action to improve vessel safety following the worst cruise ship disaster for a generation and the continuation of Somali pirate attacks against merchant shipping.A review of existing passenger ship safety legislation originally put in place after the Estonia disaster, will now include elements such as ship stability after an accident, evacuation procedures as well as language spoken onboard - factors that rose to prominence following the capsizing of the Costa Concordia off the coast of Italy in mid-January.The European Commission Vice President also intends to convene a stakeholder conference in April 2012 to discuss the best way forward and will use the findings of the official investigation into the capsizing as important information in deciding the way ahead.In the area of piracy, Brussels is considering moves to make mandatory the use of Best Management Practices (BMP4) for European ships travelling in pirate waters. Fotis Karamitsos, Director for Logistics, Maritime and Land Transport in the EU Commission (DG MOVE), told SMI: "Consideration will also be given to developing better ship design and looking at ways to better deter piracy."He said the use of ...
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