WRITTEN QUESTION E-0465/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (19 February 1997)

Subject: Maritime strategy

With reference to the Commission communication to the Council, Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee, and the Committee of the Regions entitled 'Towards a new maritime strategy' (COM(96)0081), an efficient, competitive shipping sector is vital for the global competitiveness of the Community economy, not only because the economy relies on shipping in order to obtain goods and materials for industry, but also because the whole range of related activities generates wider economic spin-offs.

Will the Commission therefore:

1. neutralize the competitive advantages enjoyed by low-cost, substandard shipping operations and crews by imposing appropriate penalties on firms at fault;

2. ensure that the Community shipping sector operates in a free market and can compete on equal terms where the carriage of passengers and goods by sea is concerned;

3. ease the cost burden weighing on Community firms (especially additional charges and social security contributions), bearing in mind that rival firms do not have to defray similar costs?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (19 March 1997)

The communication from the Commission entitled 'Towards a new maritime strategy' addresses the essential areas of international competitiveness of the Community fleets, maintaining open markets and safety and fair competition. These areas are interrelated since policy measures in one area can affect one or more of the other areas. The Commission wants to ensure that the various elements are fully integrated in the common purpose of achieving safe and fair competition in shipping.

All the specific points mentioned by the Honourable Member are the subject of current Commission activity. In relation to safety, the Commission published a communication on safe seas ((COM(93) 66 final. )), which has as one of its most important targets the elimination of unsafe vessels both for humane and environmental reasons and in order to remove cost and competitive advantages unfairly gained from non-compliance. The subsequent Council Directive 95/21/EC concerning enforcement of international standards for ship safety, pollution prevention and shipboard living and working conditions in shipping using Community ports and sailing in the waters under the jurisdiction of the Member States (port State control) ((OJ L 157, 7.7.1995. )) aims to ensure that international conventions related to safety, pollution prevention and working conditions on board vessels are effectively applied on all ships sailing to Community ports.

In terms of the Community's external relations policy in maritime transport, the Commission has sought to secure free access and fair competition throughout the global market, including further liberalization and rolling back existing restrictions. The Commission will shortly present a separate communication on the issue of external relations in maritime transport, and how to improve the scope for action in this field.

The Commission believes that the action identified above will help reduce distortion of competition. However, support measures may nevertheless be required for the time being to maintain and develop the Community's shipping industries. It should be remembered that, under the EC Treaty, state aid is in principle prohibited, but the Commission continues to believe that the importance of maintaining and developing the shipping sector for economic and employment reasons, as well as the particular nature of international competition it faces, can justify the application of the derogation from the main principle.

Guidelines for this purpose have been in force since 1989 and the Commission is currently discussing with Member States and industry a draft text for the revision of the guidelines. One of the elements in this draft text deals with support measures aimed primarily at reducing fiscal and other costs and burdens borne by vessels under Community flags.