EU proposal on places of refuge enters crucial negotiation phase

09 Sep 2008 - AtoN and Mooring/Berthing

The package includes a proposal to amend the Directive on vessel traffic information and monitoring. The proposal reinforces current provisions for ships in distress seeking accommodation in a place or port of refuge.  Parliament is of the opinion that an independent competent authority is necessary to take decisions concerning the accommodation of ships in distress. Such an authority should have the required expertise and be independent in the sense that it may overrule decisions of local authorities, including port authorities. At the same time it should ensure that these authorities receive proper compensation in case damage or pollution occurs. “This quid pro quo arrangement is vital for our members” said ESPO Secretary General Patrick Verhoeven after the vote yesterday, “port authorities support having an independent body but then this authority should assume full responsibility for its decisions and ensure prompt compensation in case of calamity.” Total damage for a port can be a combination of costs related to the rescue or salvage operation, damage to port installations, pollution and environmental damage and costs for clean-up actions. Also costs related to economic damage for the port authority and companies in the port should be considered. These can be very high, for instance when a vessel sinks or blocks a navigation channel or a dock. International maritime conventions - in so far that they are ratified at all - do not adequately cover such costs. “We are pleased that so far Parliament sticks to its position” said Patrick Verhoeven “and we hope that they will be able to convince Council in the final second reading negotiations which will now begin. We know that Member States are not inclined to accept this point but without an adequate compensation system, an independent competent authority is not acceptable.”

Business Directory