EUROPEAN AGREEMENT ON THIRD MARITIME PACKAGE

By securing an agreement on legislation on the compensation of ship passengers in the event of accidents, the European Parliament and the Council concluded last month negotiations on the ”third maritime safety package“, which had gone to conciliation after two readings.

Deals had already been reached on ship inspections, port state control, the authority that decides where a ship in distress should go and shipping accident investigations.

The third maritime package is intended to improve both the safety of ships and the action taken in the event of an accident. Agreements had been reached earlier on legislation concerning ship inspections, port state control, the designation of the authority which is to decide where a ship in distress should go and the investigation of shipping accidents.