Citation
Bray, J. (2001), "Europe to get safety agency", Disaster Prevention and Management, Vol. 10 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/dpm.2001.07310aab.003
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited
Europe to get safety agency
Europe to get safety agency
The European Commission is to push ahead with plans for a European Maritime Safety Agency.
Details of the proposals are due to have been published by the end of 2000 as part of the commission's second set of measures sparked after the Erika disaster, Georgette Lalis has revealed.
But the director for maritime transport at the European Commission moved to dispel shipping industry fears the agency would add further unwelcome regulatory burdens.
"This agency will create neither technical standards, nor law, nor will it lead to additional controls of ships," Mrs Lalis said.
"It will mainly help us, the commission, monitor classification societies, harmonise practices and training in port state control throughout Europe and adapt EU law to IMO resolutions, where appropriate."
She added: "Incidentally, we are proposing more or less the same thing for aviation."
Mrs Lalis made the comments in the recent Cadwallader Annual Memorial Lecture, organised by the London Shipping Law Centre.
Among other issues being addressed in the second package will be a directive on navigation issues and reporting systems within European waters, and liability for those involved in the carriage of oil by sea. Mrs Lalis said the exact details of the proposals are still under discussion within the commission.
Julian BrayLloyds Casualty Week, Vol. 321 No. 13,22 September 2000