WRITTEN QUESTION E-0464/02 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Transposition by Greece of Directive 98/35/EC on the minimum level of training of seafarers.
Date: 2002-02-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: application of EU law, crew, maritime safety, national implementing measure, professional qualifications, vocational training

29.8.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 205 E/145

(2002/C 205 E/156)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0464/02

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(22 February 2002)

Subject: Transposition by Greece of Directive 98/35/EC on the minimum level of training of seafarers

According to the Commission’s Communication on the training and recruitment of seafarers (1), ‘the key to
improving the qualifications of EU seafarers and enhancing their employability and mobility is proper
maritime training. Well trained seafarers will in turn help Europe’s maritime industry to become more
competitive and achieve higher safety and environmental protection standards’. It is worth pointing out
that 80 % of maritime accidents are due to human error.

Directive 98/35/EC (2) on the training of seafarers which contains the international IMO Convention on
Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (the STCW Convention) ensures the
minimum level of training for seafarers in the European Union. The Directive also provides for a
Community procedure for recognising the diplomas of third countries and constitutes a major step
forward in ensuring the quality of crews and the upgrading of naval professions, since a large number of
third-country nationals work as seafarers in the Community.

Given the importance of shipping for Greece and the fact
incorporated the above Directive in their national
information on the implementation of this Directive in the Member States?

the Member States should have
law by 1 July 1999, can the Commission provide

that

(1) COM(2001) 0188.
(2) OJ L 172, 17.6.1998, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(17 April 2002)

As the Honourable Member rightly pointed out, the Commission emphasised in the Communication on
the training and recruitment of seafarers (1) that, maritime training is a fundamental
issue both for
promoting employment and safeguarding safety and the protection of the marine environment.

As the guardian of the Treaties, the Commission ensures that the provisions of Directive 2001/25/EC of
the Parliament and of the Council of 4 April 2001 on the minimum level of training of seafarers (2), which
transposes into Community law the international requirements on maritime education, training and
certification of seafarers (3), are fully complied with throughout the Community.

With the exception of the Netherlands, which shall soon complete the implementation into Dutch law, all
the Member States have communicated the implementation measures adopted to transpose the Directive.
The Netherlands still need to finalise three ministerial decrees required for the full implementation of the
Directive. Their adoption is expected shortly.

(1) COM(2001) 0188 final.
(2) OJ L 136, 18.5.2001. This Directive revokes Council Directive 94/58/EC of 22 November 1994 as amended by

Council Directive 98/35/EC of 25 May 1998.

(3) Laid down by the International Convention of the International Maritime Organisation on Standards of Training,

Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended in 1995.