European Commission faults Finland, Italy on port state control

European Commission faults Finland, Italy on port state control    The European Commission has decided to take Finland to the European Court of Justice on a charge of failing to respect European Union legislation on port state control of shipping.
   Finland has not passed any national laws implementing the EU’s port state directive.
   “We hope that Finland will take the necessary measures as soon as possible,” said Loyola de Palacio, vice president of the commission. “This is particularly important as the Baltic Sea would not survive an ‘Erika’ disaster.”
   The commission is also taking Italy before the Court of Justice for failing to pass national laws incorporating the European Union’s directive on marine equipment placed on seagoing ships.
   In regard to short-sea shipping, the commission has cited Italy, Portugal and Belgium for failure to respect European Union legislation on formalities for ships calling at EU ports.
   The European Union had issued a directive calling for harmonization in reporting data about vessels, crews, and cargo. Member states had until September 2003 to adopt the necessary supporting legislation. Italy and Portugal have not responded at all, and Belgium only in part.
   The commission’s citations of the three nations came in the form of 'reasoned opinions,' the last step before a formal complaint to the European Court of Justice.