WRITTEN QUESTION E-1007/00 by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Safety in connection with the transport of fuels by sea.
Date: 2000-03-31
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: common transport policy, energy transport, maritime safety, oil pollution, tanker

20.2.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 53 E/53

(2001/C 53 E/062)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1007/00

by Marjo Matikainen-Kallstr(cid:246)m (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Safety in connection with the transport of fuels by sea

(31 March 2000)

The initiative of developing the Union(cid:146)s northern dimension will, if put into practice,
increase energy
cooperation and trade between Russia and the European Union. It is for example predictable that the
transport of oil and other liquid fuels by sea in the Baltic and particularly the Gulf of Finland will increase
considerably in the next few years. The Baltic is a shallow and almost landlocked sea area,
in which
accidents involving tankers at sea could easily cause irreparable destruction.

In the light of the above, how does the Commission propose to improve safety regulations for the
transport of polluting materials by sea? Does the Commission intend in future to introduce stricter safety
regulations for oil shippers, e.g. regarding the hull design of their vessels?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(19 May 2000)

Following the accident with the oil tanker (cid:145)Erika(cid:146) in December 1999 and the consequent massive pollution
of the French western coastline, the Commission adopted on 21 March 2000 a communication to the
Parliament and the Council on the safety of seaborne oil transport (1). This lists a number of short and
medium term measures aimed at enhancing the prevention of pollution by ships.

The Commission communication is accompanied by three legislative proposals, including a proposal for a
regulation by the Parliament and Council on the accelerated phasing-in of double hull or equivalent design
standards for single hull oil tankers (2). This legislative proposal aims at applying rapidly in the Community
the latest internationally agreed construction standards for oil tankers to provide the highest degree of
protection against oil pollution in case of grounding or collision.

(1) COM(2000) 142 final.
(2) COM(2000) 67.

(2001/C 53 E/063)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1008/00

by Marjo Matikainen-Kallstr(cid:246)m (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Liberalisation of the market in electricity in Germany

(31 March 2000)

According to reports in the media the liberalisation of the electricity market in Germany has taken place in
a way which is contrary to the principles of open competition. Transfer charges are made in respect of
transfers of electricity between the north and the south of the country, and these can account for as much
as a quarter of the wholesale price of electricity. This procedure is not in conformity with the principles of
free competition, because it strengthens the position of German large-scale firms and local operators at the
expense of non-German competitors.

In view of the above, what does the Commission propose to do to investigate whether this state of affairs
can be regarded as complying with the spirit of the objective of liberalising the EU(cid:146)s electricity market?
How does the Commission propose to prevent the (cid:145)apparent liberalisation(cid:146) of the electricity markets, which
damages free competition, from taking place in future in Germany and the other Member States of the
Union?