EC’s DE PALACIO PLEADS FOR INTERNATIONAL MOVE ON MARITIME SAFETY

EC’S DE PALACIO PLEADS FOR INTERNATIONAL MOVE ON MARITIME SAFETY    Loyola de Palacio, European Commission vice-president in charge of transport and energy, has called on governments and agencies in and outside Europe to deepen their cooperation and take stronger commitments on maritime safety.
   In a letter sent to countries neighboring the European Union, to the United States, to other partners and to the United Nations, de Palacio asked for “a strong action to improve the international legal regime for ship source pollution,” the European Commission said on Wednesday.
   She stressed the need for a radical change in the way the international maritime law represents the balance of interests. “The coastal states meet serious difficulties to address questions related to the protection of their coastlines,” she said.
   She also called for support for efforts to promote within the United Nations, the International Maritime Organization and other relevant fora the adaptation of international rules on maritime safety.
   The action by the European Commission follows the sinking of the tanker “Prestige” off the Spanish coast, which led to criticisms of maritime regulations in Europe.
   European politicians have now agreed on a policy to accelerate the phasing-out of single-hull tankers, and ban the transport of heavy grades of oil in single-hulled tankers.
   De Palacio said that she welcomed plans by the IMO to open the debate on a “Flag State Implementation Code” in April, and the intention to achieve progress on the IMO “Model Audit Scheme” in November.
   The European Commission intends to promote the strengthening of maritime safety in the framework of its cooperation programs to assist neighboring countries, in particular EU accession and candidate countries, Russia and Euro-Med partners.
   The European Commission said that it considers as a priority the designation of ports of refuge for ships in difficulty. The Brussels-based body will organize a meeting with national experts on Jan. 31 in Brussels. “I would like to stress the importance to re-examine the international rules concerning the law of the seas,” de Palacio said.