WRITTEN QUESTION E-0736/00

by Karin Scheele (PSE) to the Commission

(17 March 2000)

Subject: Sinking of the oil tanker Erika in December 1999

The sinking of the oil tanker Erika in December 1999 had serious consequences for the environment. According to a report in the Austrian daily newspaper Der Standard of 19/20 February 2000, such environmental disasters involving oil tankers are mainly due to neglect of safety precautions in the interests of profit-seeking in the world marine transport sector. The average age of the world merchant fleet, for example, has been rising steadily in recent decades. It is currently 14,5 years, more than half of vessels being over 15 years old. For several years now there has also been an increase in the number of vessels sailing under flags of convenience, which pose an additional threat to marine safety.

1. What measures has the Commission taken, or is the Commission taking, to improve safety in marine transport?

2. What measures is the Commission taking in particular against vessels sailing under flags of convenience?

3. As long ago as 1993 the European Parliament called on the Commission to impose a ban on any oil tanker older than 15 years calling at any EU port. Has the Commission heeded this call? if not, why not?

4. Has the Commission established a timetable for prohibiting the mooring of oil tankers without double hulls and for eliminating vessels sailing under flags of convenience, or is it planning to do so?

5. Is the Commission taking any measures to introduce the principle of joint and several liability of shipowners, charterers, insurers and classification societies?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(3 May 2000)

On 21 March 2000, to reduce the possibility of shipping accidents as far as possible and provide Europe's coasts with even better protection from the devastating consequences of oil pollution, the Commission adopted a communication on the safety of the seaborne oil trade(1). The communication provides answers to all the Honourable Member's questions.

The Commission is proposing a series of immediate and longer-term measures.

To start with, Community law on the inspection of vessels calling at European ports and on the monitoring of classification societies is to be tightened up. The issue of classification society liability is also dealt with. These measures will allow more targeted action to be taken against flags which fail to comply with international safety standards, including certain flags of convenience.

In practice, the Commission is proposing a ban on vessels more than 15 years old which are past offenders in terms of failing to comply with safety standards and which appear on a black list of flags. This measure is aimed not only at oil tankers, but will apply to other types of vessel, too, including bulk carriers.

The Commission is also proposing to ban single-hull oil tankers from Community waters, following a timetable similar to that adopted in the United States. In view of the enhanced inspections it is proposing, the Commission does not intend automatically to ban vessels flying a flag of convenience.

Subsequently, the Commission envisages making supplementary proposals regarding systematic exchange of information between all the actors in the shipping community, improved surveillance of navigation, and the creation of a European body for maritime safety. It is in this context that the Commission is planning to put forward proposals for measures regarding the liability of the various players in the seaborne oil trade.

(1) COM(2000) 142 final.