WRITTEN QUESTION P-2575/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(16 December 1999)

Subject: Lack of infrastructures and facilities at Patras Port

The recent tragic accident involving the passenger ship Superfast III in which 12 people died in a fire which broke out 14 nautical miles from Patras Port has highlighted the chronic problems facing this port. The very poor infrastructures and facilities pose a threat to the health and safety of passengers and hamper passenger embarkation, disembarkation and control procedures as well as basic control procedures on freight vehicles. In view of the above, will the Commission say:

1. Does it intend to demand that the Greek Government take immediate action to improve Patras Port facilities for the benefit of passengers, especially given that Greece receives Community funding for the improvement of ports, funding which however is usually channelled solely into the freight sector?

2. Does it know why the relevant Greek ministry has failed to carry out improvements to Patras Port facilities, as the Commission had suggested on the basis of proposals made in studies carried out by the relevant service in the port of Dover and, if not, does it intend to seek clarification on this point?

3. Even though Directive 1999/35(1) becomes mandatory for the Member States only on 1 December 2000, does the Commission intend to ask the Greek Government as a gesture of goodwill to publish the findings of the inquiry into the Superfast III tragedy and to forward a copy to the Commission, in accordance with Article 12 of the above directive?

4. Does the Commission have any proposals for improving the basic safety and health infrastructures for passengers at other ports in Greece (Piraeus, Igoumenitsa, the ports of various islands, etc.) and what commitments will it ask the Greek Government to provide in this connection?

(1) OJ L 138, 1.6.1999, p. 1.

Supplementary answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(1 February 2001)

Apart from the obligations for the Member State to take the requisite measures in order to comply with Council Directive 1999/35/EC of 29 April 1999 on a system of mandatory surveys for the safe operation of regular ro-ro ferry and high-speed passenger craft services(1), the Commission has no powers to oblige a Member State to take specific actions concerning ports. Member States can, however, ask for Community funding for projects of common interest, including ports.

This co-funding is based on Decision No 1692/96/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 1996 on Community guidelines for the development of the Trans-European transport network (TEN-T)(2).

Greece has never submitted a proposal concerning the existing port of Patras under Community financial aid in the field of TEN-T. However, the construction of a new port in Patras is underway and being co-financed by both the Community support framework (CSF) for Greece during the 1994-1999 programming period and the Community Initiative Interreg. This project, which will be completed with co-funding from the CSF for the current 2000-2006 period, fully takes into account the required safety standards.

Concerning the safety aspect in Community ports, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to his Written Question E-2530/99(3).

The Commission is prepared to ask the Greek government to make available the report resulting from the investigation into the accident involving the ferry Superfast III, in accordance with the provisions of Article 12 (5) of the Council Directive mentioned above.

In general, projects involving ports which are carried out with Community co-funding should improve efficiency and safety in the transport of passengers and goods, given that those projects have to comply with the required safety standards.

(1) OJ L 138, 1.6.1999.

(2) OJ L 228, 9.9.1996 modified in OJ L 15 of 17.1.1997.

(3) OJ C 280 E, 3.10.2000.