Pollution Prevention Proposal
The European Commission has adopted a proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and Council to equip the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), established last year in the wake of the Erika disaster, with the legal and technical means necessary to operate specialised pollution response ships and equipment for collecting oil and other noxious substances from the sea.
The Commission also proposes to widen EMSA’s powers to include maritime security and the recognition of third country seafarer’s qualifications. The expanded jurisdiction of EMSA would enable it to play a decisive role in the implementation of European legislation in these fields.
The Commission’s Vice President Loyola de Palacio said, ‘In the aftermath of the Erika and Prestige disasters, maritime safety legislation has been drastically improved to guarantee the highest level of environmental protection to European shores and waters.
The Commission is determined to ensure that these rules are adequately and strictly applied.
The widening of EMSA’s competence is today a key step in this strategy to ensure safety and security of marine transport.’
The new proposal will provide the Agency with the legal competence and the appropriate means to fight accidental and illicit pollution caused by ships by purchasing or leasing vessels equipped with advanced technology or other anti-pollution equipment.
Funding for this new task for EMSA has already been set aside in the Annual Policy Statement for 2004, with 20m allocated annually for the period 2004-2006.
The Agency’s efforts will supplement those of Member States and add value to the Community framework and mechanism for cooperation in the field of marine pollution and civil protection.
The proposal to widen EMSA’ objectives to include maritime security is justified by increased concerns over the threat of terrorism and other illicit actions targeting ships and port installations. The Agency should assist the Commission in its inspections of the effective application of security measures undertaken by Member States in line with the Commission Communication on enhancing maritime transport security.
Proposals would also enable the Agency to adequately assist the Commission in the field of the recognition of qualifications of third country seafarers in application of Community legislation on the minimum level of seafarer training.
MJInformation No: 18709
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