ISSN 1725-2555 doi:10.3000/17252555.L_2009.131.eng |
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Official Journal of the European Union |
L 131 |
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English edition |
Legislation |
Volume 52 |
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(1) Text with EEA relevance |
EN |
Acts whose titles are printed in light type are those relating to day-to-day management of agricultural matters, and are generally valid for a limited period. The titles of all other Acts are printed in bold type and preceded by an asterisk. |
I Acts adopted under the EC Treaty/Euratom Treaty whose publication is obligatory
REGULATIONS
28.5.2009 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
L 131/1 |
REGULATION (EC) No 390/2009 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
of 23 April 2009
amending the Common Consular Instructions on visas for diplomatic missions and consular posts in relation to the introduction of biometrics including provisions on the organisation of the reception and processing of visa applications
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 62(2)(b)(ii) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Data Protection Supervisor (1),
Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (2),
Whereas:
(1) |
To ensure the reliable verification and identification of applicants, it is necessary to process biometric data in the Visa Information System (VIS) established by Council Decision 2004/512/EC (3) and to provide for a legal framework for the collection of these biometric identifiers. Furthermore, the implementation of the VIS requires new forms of organisation for the reception of visa applications. |
(2) |
The integration of biometric identifiers in the VIS is an important step towards the use of new elements, which establish a more reliable link between the visa holder and the passport in order to avoid the use of false identities. Therefore, the personal appearance of the applicant — at least for the first application — should be one of the basic requirements for issuing a visa with the registration of biometric identifiers in the VIS. |
(3) |
The choice of the biometric identifiers is made in Regulation (EC) No 767/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 July 2008 concerning the Visa Information System (VIS) and the exchange of data between Member States on short-stay visas (VIS Regulation) (4). |
(4) |
This Regulation defines the standards for the collection of these biometric identifiers by referring to the relevant provisions set out by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). No further technical specifications are required in order to ensure interoperability. |
(5) |
Any document, data or biometric identifier received by a Member State in the course of a visa application shall be considered a consular document under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 24 April 1963 and shall be treated in an appropriate manner. |
(6) |
In order to facilitate the registration of applicants and to reduce the costs for Member States, new organisational possibilities need to be envisaged in addition to the existing framework of representation. Firstly, a specific type of representation limited to the collection of applications and enrolment of biometric identifiers should be added to the Common Consular Instructions on visas for the diplomatic missions and consular posts (5). |
(7) |
Other options such as co-location, common application centres, honorary consuls and cooperation with external service providers should be introduced. An appropriate legal framework for these options should be established, taking into account, in particular, data protection issues. Member States should, in accordance with the conditions laid down in this legal framework, determine the type of organisational structure which they will use in each third country. Details of those structures should be published by the Commission. |
(8) |
When organising cooperation, Member States should ensure that applicants are directed to the Member State responsible for the processing of their applications. |
(9) |
It is necessary to make provision for situations in which Member States decide, in order to facilitate the procedure, to cooperate with an external service provider for the collection of applications. Such a decision may be taken if, in particular circumstances or for reasons relating to the local situation, cooperation with other Member States in the form of limited representation, co-location or a Common Application Centre proves not to be appropriate for the Member State concerned. Such arrangements should be established in compliance with the general principles for issuing visas, respecting the data protection requirements set out in Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (6). In addition, the need to avoid visa-shopping should be taken into consideration when establishing and implementing such arrangements. |
(10) |
Member States should cooperate with external service providers on the basis of a legal instrument which should contain provisions on their exact responsibilities, on direct and total access to their premises, information for applicants, confidentiality and on the circumstances, conditions and procedures for suspending or terminating the cooperation. |
(11) |
This Regulation, by allowing Member States to cooperate with an external service provider for the collection of applications while establishing the ‘one stop’ principle for the presentation of applications, creates a derogation from the general rule of the personal appearance, as provided for in Part III, point 4, of the Common Consular Instructions. This is without prejudice to the possibility of calling the applicant for a personal interview and is also without prejudice to future legal instruments regulating these issues. |
(12) |
To ensure compliance with data protection requirements, the Working Party set up by Article 29 of Directive 95/46/EC has been consulted. |
(13) |
Directive 95/46/EC applies to the Member States with regard to the processing of personal data pursuant to this Regulation. |
(14) |
Member States should maintain the possibility for all applicants to lodge applications directly at their diplomatic missions or consular posts. |
(15) |
In order to facilitate the procedure of any subsequent application, it should be possible to copy fingerprints from the first entry into the VIS within a period of 59 months. Once this period of time has elapsed, the fingerprints should be collected again. |
(16) |
Due to the requirement to collect biometric identifiers, commercial intermediaries such as travel agencies should no longer be used for the first application but only for subsequent ones. |
(17) |
The Common Consular Instructions should therefore be amended accordingly. |
(18) |
The Commission should present a report on the implementation of this Regulation three years after the VIS is brought into operation and every four years thereafter. |
(19) |
Since the objectives of this Regulation, namely the organisation of the reception and the processing of applications in respect of the entry of biometric data into the VIS and the introduction of common standards and interoperable biometric identifiers and of common rules for all Member States participating in the Community’s common policy on visas, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States and can therefore be better achieved at Community level, the Community may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty. In accordance with the principle of proportionality as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives. |
(20) |
In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of the Protocol on the position of Denmark, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Denmark is not taking part in the adoption of this Regulation and is not bound by it or subject to its application. Given that this Regulation builds upon the Schengen acquis under the provisions of Title IV of Part Three of the Treaty establishing the European Community, Denmark shall, in accordance with Article 5 of that Protocol, decide within a period of six months after the date of adoption of this Regulation, whether it will implement it in its national law. |
(21) |
As regards Iceland and Norway, this Regulation constitutes a development of provisions of the Schengen acquis within the meaning of the Agreement concluded by the Council of the European Union and the Republic of Iceland and the Kingdom of Norway concerning the latter’s association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis (7) which fall within the area referred to in Article 1, point B, of Council Decision 1999/437/EC (8) on certain arrangements for the application of that Agreement. |
(22) |
This Regulation constitutes a development of provisions of the Schengen acquis in which the United Kingdom does not take part, in accordance with Council Decision 2000/365/EC of 29 May 2000 concerning the request of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to take part in some of the provisions of the Schengen acquis (9). The United Kingdom is therefore not taking part in its adoption and is not bound by it or subject to its application. |
(23) |
This Regulation constitutes a development of provisions of the Schengen acquis in which Ireland does not take part, in accordance with Council Decision 2002/192/EC of 28 February 2002 concerning Ireland’s request to take part in some of the provisions of the Schengen acquis (10). Ireland is therefore not taking part in its adoption and is not bound by it or subject to its application. |
(24) |
As regards Switzerland, this Regulation constitutes a development of provisions of the Schengen acquis within the meaning of the Agreement between the European Union, the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on the Swiss Confederation’s association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis (11), which fall within the area referred to in Article 1, point B, of Decision 1999/437/EC read in conjunction with Article 3 of Council Decision 2008/146/EC (12). |
(25) |
As regards Liechtenstein, this Regulation constitutes a development of provisions of the Schengen acquis within the meaning of the Protocol signed between the European Union, the European Community, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein on the accession of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the Agreement concluded between the European Union, the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on the Swiss Confederation’s association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis, which fall within the area referred to in Article 1, point B, of Decision 1999/437/EC read in conjunction with Article 3 of Council Decision 2008/261/EC (13). |
(26) |
As regards Cyprus, this Regulation constitutes an act building upon the Schengen acquis or otherwise related to it within the meaning of Article 3(2) of the 2003 Act of Accession. |
(27) |
This Regulation constitutes an act building upon the Schengen acquis or otherwise related to it within the meaning of Article 4(2) of the 2005 Act of Accession, |
HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Article 1
Amendments to the Common Consular Instructions
The Common Consular Instructions on visas for diplomatic missions and consular posts are hereby amended as follows:
1. |
Part II shall be amended as follows:
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2. |
Part III shall be amended as follows:
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3. |
Point 1 of Part VII shall be amended as follows: ‘1. Organisation of visa sections 1.1. Organisation of the reception and processing of visa applications Each Member State shall be responsible for organising the reception and processing of applications. In principle, applications shall be lodged at a diplomatic mission or consular post of a Member State. Member States shall:
In particular circumstances or for reasons relating to the local situation, such as where:
and where the abovementioned forms of cooperation prove not to be appropriate for the Member State concerned, a Member State may, as a last resort, cooperate with an external service provider in accordance with point 1.4. Without prejudice to the right to call the applicant for a personal interview, as provided for in Part III, point 4, the selection of a form of organisation shall not result in requiring the applicant to make personal appearances at more than one location in order to lodge an application. 1.2. Forms of cooperation between Member States
1.3. Recourse to honorary consuls Honorary consuls may also be authorised to perform some or all of the tasks referred to in point 1.5. Adequate measures shall be taken to guarantee security and data protection. Where the honorary consul is not a civil servant of a Member State, the performance of those tasks shall comply with the requirements set out in Annex 19 except for the provisions in point C(c) of that Annex. Where the honorary consul is a civil servant of a Member State, the Member State concerned shall ensure that requirements comparable to those which would apply if the tasks were performed by its diplomatic mission or consular post are applied. 1.4. Cooperation with external service providers Member States shall endeavour to cooperate with an external service provider together with one or more Member States, without prejudice to public procurement and competition rules. Cooperation with an external service provider shall be based on a legal instrument that shall comply with the requirements set out in Annex 19. Member States shall, within the framework of local consular cooperation, exchange information about the selection of external service providers and the establishment of the terms and conditions of their respective legal instruments. 1.5. Types of cooperation with external service providers An external service provider may be entrusted with the performance of one or more of the following tasks:
1.6. Obligations of Member States When selecting an external service provider, the Member State(s) concerned shall scrutinise the solvency and reliability of the company (including the necessary licences, commercial registration, company statutes, bank contracts) and ensure that there is no conflict of interests. The Member State(s) concerned shall ensure that the external service provider selected complies with the terms and conditions assigned to it in the legal instrument referred to in point 1.4. The Member State(s) concerned shall remain responsible for compliance with data protection rules for the processing of data and shall be supervised in accordance with Article 28 of Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (15). Cooperation with an external service provider shall not limit or exclude any liability arising under the national law of the Member State(s) concerned for breaches of obligations with regard to the personal data of applicants and the processing of visas. This provision is without prejudice to any action which may be taken directly against the external service provider under the national law of the third country concerned. The Member State(s) concerned shall ensure that the data are fully encrypted, whether electronically transferred or physically transferred on an electronic storage medium from the external service provider to the authorities of the Member State(s) concerned. In third countries which prohibit encryption of data to be electronically transferred from the external service provider to the authorities of the Member State(s) concerned, the Members State(s) concerned shall not allow the external service provider to transfer data electronically. In this case, the Member State(s) concerned shall ensure that the electronic data are transferred physically in fully encrypted form on an electronic storage medium from the external service provider to the authorities of the Member State(s) concerned by a consular officer of a Member State or, where such a transfer would require disproportionate or unreasonable measures to be taken, in another safe and secure way, for example by using established operators experienced in transporting sensitive documents and data in the third country concerned. In all cases the level of security for the transfer shall be adapted to the sensitive nature of the data. The Member States or the Community shall endeavour to reach an agreement with the third countries concerned with the aim of lifting the prohibition against encryption of data to be electronically transferred from the external service provider to the authorities of the Member State(s) concerned. The Member State(s) concerned shall provide training to the external service provider, corresponding to the knowledge needed to offer appropriate service and sufficient information to applicants. The Member State(s) concerned shall, in case of doubt, provide for the possibility of verifying at the diplomatic mission or consular post fingerprints which have been taken by the external service provider. The examination of applications, interviews, where appropriate, the authorisation process and the printing and affixing of visa stickers shall be carried out only by the diplomatic mission or consular post. External service providers shall not have access to the VIS under any circumstances. Access to the VIS shall be reserved exclusively to duly authorised staff of diplomatic missions or consular posts. The Member State(s) concerned shall closely monitor the implementation of the legal instrument referred to in point 1.4, including:
To this end, the diplomatic mission or consular post of the Member State(s) concerned shall, on a regular basis, carry out unannounced checks on the premises of the external service provider. 1.7. Service fee External service providers may charge a service fee in addition to the fee to be charged as set out in Annex 12. The service fee shall be proportionate to the costs incurred by the external service provider while performing one or more of the tasks referred to in point 1.5. This service fee shall be specified in the legal instrument referred to in point 1.4. In the framework of local consular cooperation, Member States shall ensure that the service fee charged to an applicant duly reflects the services offered by the external service provider and is adapted to local circumstances. Furthermore, they shall aim to harmonise the service fee applied. The service fee shall not exceed half of the amount of the visa fee set out in Annex 12, irrespective of the possible exemptions from the visa fee as provided for by Annex 12. The Member State(s) concerned shall maintain the possibility for all applicants to lodge applications directly at its diplomatic missions or consular posts. 1.8. Information Precise information on the means of obtaining an appointment and submitting an application shall be displayed by Member States’ diplomatic missions and consular posts for the general public. 1.9. Continuity of service In the event of termination of cooperation with other Member States or with any type of external service provider, Member States shall assure the continuity of full service. 1.10. Decision and publication Member States shall inform the Commission of how they intend to organise the reception and processing of applications in each consular location. The Commission shall ensure appropriate publication. Member States shall provide the Commission with a copy of the legal instrument referred to in point 1.4. |
4. |
Point 5.2 of Part VIII shall be amended as follows:
|
5. |
The following Annex shall be added: ‘ANNEX 19 List of minimum requirements to be included in the legal instrument in the case of cooperation with external service providers
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Article 2
Reporting
The Commission shall present, three years after the VIS is brought into operation and every four years thereafter, a report to the European Parliament and to the Council on the implementation of this Regulation, including the implementation of the collection and use of biometric identifiers, the suitability of the ICAO standard chosen, compliance with data protection rules, experience with external service providers with specific reference to the collection of biometric data, the implementation of the 59-month rule for the copying of fingerprints and the organisation of the reception and processing of applications. The report shall also include, on the basis of Article 17(12), (13) and (14) and of Article 50(4) of the VIS Regulation, the cases in which fingerprints could factually not be provided or were not required to be provided for legal reasons, compared with the number of cases in which fingerprints were taken. The report shall include information on cases in which a person who could factually not provide fingerprints was refused a visa. The report shall be accompanied, where necessary, by appropriate proposals to amend this Regulation.
The first report shall also address the issue of the sufficient reliability for identification and verification purposes of fingerprints of children under the age of 12 and, in particular, how fingerprints evolve with age, based on the results of a study carried out under the responsibility of the Commission.
Article 3
Entry into force
This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States in accordance with the Treaty establishing the European Community.
Done at Strasbourg, 23 April 2009.
For the European Parliament
The President
H.-G. PÖTTERING
For the Council
The President
P. NEČAS
(1) OJ C 321, 29.12.2006, p. 38.
(2) Opinion of the European Parliament of 10 July 2008 (not yet published in the Official Journal), Council Common Position of 5 March 2009 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Position of the European Parliament of 25 March 2009 (not yet published in the Official Journal).
(3) OJ L 213, 15.6.2004, p. 5.
(4) OJ L 218, 13.8.2008, p. 60.
(5) OJ C 326, 22.12.2005, p. 1.
(6) OJ L 281, 23.11.1995, p. 31.
(7) OJ L 176, 10.7.1999, p. 36.
(8) OJ L 176, 10.7.1999, p. 31.
(9) OJ L 131, 1.6.2000, p. 43.
(10) OJ L 64, 7.3.2002, p. 20.
(11) OJ L 53, 27.2.2008, p. 52.
(12) OJ L 53, 27.2.2008, p. 1.
(13) OJ L 83, 26.3.2008, p. 3.
(14) OJ L 267, 27.9.2006, p. 41.’.
(15) OJ L 281, 23.11.1995, p. 31.’.
28.5.2009 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
L 131/11 |
REGULATION (EC) No 391/2009 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
of 23 April 2009
on common rules and standards for ship inspection and survey organisations
(Recast)
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 80(2) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (2),
Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty, in the light of the joint text approved by the Conciliation Committee on 3 February 2009 (3),
Whereas:
(1) |
Council Directive 94/57/EC of 22 November 1994 on common rules and standards for ship inspection and survey organisations and for the relevant activities of maritime administrations (4) has been substantially amended several times. Since further amendments are to be made, it should be recast in the interests of clarity. |
(2) |
In view of the nature of the provisions of Directive 94/57/EC it seems appropriate that its provisions be recast in two different Community legal instruments, namely a Directive and a Regulation. |
(3) |
Ship inspection and survey organisations should be able to offer their services throughout the Community and compete with each other while providing equal levels of safety and of environmental protection. The necessary professional standards for their activities should therefore be uniformly established and applied across the Community. |
(4) |
This objective should be pursued through measures that adequately tie in with the work of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and, where appropriate, build on and complement it. Furthermore, the Member States and the Commission should promote the development by the IMO of an international code for recognised organisations. |
(5) |
Minimum criteria for recognition of organisations should be laid down with a view to enhancing the safety of, and preventing pollution from, ships. The minimum criteria laid down in Directive 94/57/EC should therefore be strengthened. |
(6) |
In order to grant initial recognition to the organisations wishing to be authorised to work on behalf of the Member States, compliance with the minimum criteria laid down in this Regulation could be assessed more effectively in a harmonised and centralised manner by the Commission together with the Member States requesting the recognition. |
(7) |
Recognition should be granted only on the basis of the quality and safety performance of the organisation. It should be ensured that the extent of that recognition be at all times in keeping with the actual capacity of the organisation concerned. Recognition should furthermore take into account the differences in legal status and corporate structure of recognised organisations while continuing to ensure uniform application of the minimum criteria laid down in this Regulation and the effectiveness of the Community controls. Regardless of the corporate structure, the organisation to be recognised should provide services worldwide and its legal entities should be subject to global joint and several liability. |
(8) |
The measures necessary for the implementation of this Regulation should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (5). |
(9) |
In particular, the Commission should be empowered to amend this Regulation in order to incorporate subsequent amendments to the international conventions, protocols, codes and resolutions related thereto, to update the minimum criteria in Annex I and to adopt the criteria to measure the effectiveness of the rules and procedures as well as the performance of the recognised organisations as regards the safety of, and the prevention of pollution from, their classed ships. Since those measures are of general scope and are designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation, inter alia, by supplementing it with new non-essential elements, they must be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny provided for in Article 5a of Decision 1999/468/EC. |
(10) |
It is of the utmost importance that failure by a recognised organisation to fulfil its obligations can be addressed in a prompt, effective and proportionate manner. The primary objective should be to correct any deficiencies with a view to removing any potential threat to safety or the environment at an early stage. The Commission should therefore be given the necessary powers to require that the recognised organisation undertake the necessary preventive and remedial action, and to impose fines and periodic penalty payments as coercive measures. When exercising these powers, the Commission should do so in a manner that complies with fundamental rights and should ensure that the organisation can make its views known throughout the procedure. |
(11) |
In accordance with the Community-wide approach, the decision to withdraw the recognition of an organisation which fails to fulfil the obligations set out in this Regulation if the above measures prove ineffective or the organisation otherwise presents an unacceptable threat to safety or the environment, has to be taken at Community level, and therefore by the Commission, on the basis of a committee procedure. |
(12) |
The continuous a posteriori monitoring of the recognised organisations to assess their compliance with this Regulation can be carried out more effectively in a harmonised and centralised manner. Therefore, it is appropriate that the Commission, together with the Member State requesting the recognition, be entrusted with this task on behalf of the Community. |
(13) |
As part of the monitoring of the operations of recognised organisations, it is crucial that Commission inspectors have access to ships and ship files regardless of the ship’s flag in order to ascertain whether the recognised organisations are complying with the minimum criteria laid down in this Regulation in respect of all ships in their respective classes. |
(14) |
The ability of recognised organisations to identify rapidly and correct weaknesses in their rules, processes and internal controls is critical for the safety of the ships they inspect and certify. That ability should be enhanced by means of a quality assessment and certification entity, which should be independent of commercial or political interests, can propose common action for the sustained improvement of all recognised organisations and ensure fruitful cooperation with the Commission. |
(15) |
The rules and procedures of recognised organisations are a key factor for increasing safety and preventing accidents and pollution. The recognised organisations have initiated a process that should lead to harmonisation of their rules and procedures. That process should be encouraged and supported by Community legislation, as it should have a positive impact on maritime safety as well as on the competitiveness of the European shipbuilding industry. |
(16) |
The harmonisation of the rules of recognised organisations for the design, construction and periodic survey of merchant ships is an ongoing process. Therefore, the obligation to have a set of own rules or the demonstrated ability to have own rules should be seen in the context of the process of harmonisation and should not constitute an obstacle to the activities of recognised organisations or potential candidates for recognition. |
(17) |
Recognised organisations should be obliged to update their technical standards and enforce them consistently in order to harmonise safety rules and ensure uniform implementation of international rules within the Community. Where the technical standards of recognised organisations are identical or very similar, mutual recognition of certificates for materials, equipment and components should be considered in appropriate cases, taking the most demanding and rigorous standards as the reference. |
(18) |
While each recognised organisation, in principle, should be held responsible solely and exclusively in relation to the parts it certifies, the liability of recognised organisations and manufacturers will follow the agreed conditions or, as the case may be, the applicable law in each individual case. |
(19) |
Since transparency and exchange of information between interested parties, as well as public right of access to information, are fundamental tools for preventing accidents at sea, recognised organisations should provide all relevant statutory information concerning the conditions of the ships in their class to the port State control authorities and make it available to the general public. |
(20) |
In order to prevent ships from changing class to avoid carrying out necessary repairs, recognised organisations should exchange all relevant information among themselves concerning the conditions of ships changing class and involve the flag State when necessary. |
(21) |
The protection of intellectual property rights of maritime stakeholders including shipyards, equipment suppliers and shipowners, should not prevent normal business transactions and contractually agreed services between these parties. |
(22) |
The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) established by Regulation (EC) No 1406/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council (6) should provide the necessary support to ensure the application of this Regulation. |
(23) |
Since the objective of this Regulation, namely the establishment of measures to be followed by organisations entrusted with the inspection, survey and certification of ships, operating in the Community, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States and can therefore, by reason of the scale of the action, be better achieved at Community level, the Community may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that objective. |
(24) |
Measures to be followed by the Member States in their relationship with ship inspection and survey organisations are laid down in Directive 2009/15/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on common rules and standards for ship inspection and survey organisations and for the relevant activities of maritime administrations (7), |
HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Article 1
This Regulation establishes measures to be followed by organisations entrusted with the inspection, survey and certification of ships for compliance with the international conventions on safety at sea and prevention of marine pollution, while furthering the objective of freedom to provide services. This includes the development and implementation of safety requirements for hull, machinery and electrical and control installations of ships falling under the scope of the international conventions.
Article 2
For the purpose of this Regulation the following definitions shall apply:
(a) |
‘ship’ means a ship falling within the scope of the international conventions; |
(b) |
‘international conventions’ means the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea of 1 November 1974 (SOLAS 74) with the exception of chapter XI-2 of the Annex thereto, the International Convention on Load Lines of 5 April 1966 and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships of 2 November 1973 (MARPOL), together with the protocols and amendments thereto, and the related codes of mandatory status in all Member States, in their up-to-date version; |
(c) |
‘organisation’ means a legal entity, its subsidiaries and any other entities under its control, which jointly or separately carry out tasks falling under the scope of this Regulation; |
(d) |
‘control’ means, for the purpose of point (c), rights, contracts or any other means, in law or in fact, which, either separately or in combination confer the possibility of exercising decisive influence on a legal entity or enable that entity to carry out tasks falling under the scope of this Regulation; |
(e) |
‘recognised organisation’ means an organisation recognised in accordance with this Regulation; |
(f) |
‘authorisation’ means an act whereby a Member State grants an authorisation or delegates powers to a recognised organisation; |
(g) |
‘statutory certificate’ means a certificate issued by or on behalf of a flag State in accordance with the international conventions; |
(h) |
‘rules and procedures’ means a recognised organisation’s requirements for the design, construction, equipment, maintenance and survey of ships; |
(i) |
‘class certificate’ means a document issued by a recognised organisation certifying the fitness of a ship for a particular use or service in accordance with the rules and procedures laid down and made public by that recognised organisation; |
(j) |
‘location’ means the place of the registered office, central administration or principal place of business of an organisation. |
Article 3
1. Member States which wish to grant an authorisation to any organisation which is not yet recognised shall submit a request for recognition to the Commission together with complete information on, and evidence of, the organisation’s compliance with the minimum criteria set out in Annex I and on the requirement and its undertaking that it shall comply with the provisions of Articles 8(4), 9, 10 and 11.
2. The Commission, together with the respective Member States submitting the request, shall carry out assessments of the organisations for which the request for recognition was received in order to verify that the organisations meet and undertake to comply with the requirements referred to in paragraph 1.
3. The Commission shall, in accordance with the regulatory procedure referred to in Article 12(3), refuse to recognise organisations which fail to meet the requirements referred to in paragraph 1 or whose performance is considered an unacceptable threat to safety or the environment on the basis of the criteria laid down in accordance with Article 14.
Article 4
1. Recognition shall be granted by the Commission in accordance with the regulatory procedure referred to in Article 12(3).
2. Recognition shall only be granted to organisations which meet the requirements referred to in Article 3.
3. Recognition shall be granted to the relevant legal entity, which is the parent entity of all legal entities that constitute the recognised organisation. The recognition shall encompass all legal entities that contribute to ensuring that that organisation provides cover for their services worldwide.
4. The Commission, acting in accordance with the regulatory procedure referred to in Article 12(3), may limit the recognition as regards certain types of ships, ships of a certain size, certain trades, or a combination thereof, in accordance with the proven capacity and expertise of the organisation concerned. In such a case, the Commission shall state the reasons for the limitation and the conditions under which the limitation shall be removed or can be widened. The limitation may be reviewed at any time.
5. The Commission shall draw up and regularly update a list of the organisations recognised in accordance with this Article. That list shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Article 5
Where the Commission considers that a recognised organisation has failed to fulfil the minimum criteria set out in Annex I or its obligations under this Regulation, or that the safety and pollution prevention performance of a recognised organisation has worsened significantly, without, however, it constituting an unacceptable threat to safety or the environment, it shall require the recognised organisation concerned to undertake the necessary preventive and remedial action within specified deadlines to ensure full compliance with those minimum criteria and obligations and, in particular, remove any potential threat to safety or the environment, or to otherwise address the causes of the worsening performance.
The preventive and remedial action may include interim protective measures when the potential threat to safety or the environment is immediate.
However, and without prejudice to their immediate implementation, the Commission shall give to all Member States which have granted an authorisation to the recognised organisation concerned, advance notice of the measures that it intends to take.
Article 6
1. In addition to the measures taken under Article 5, the Commission may, in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 12(2), impose fines on a recognised organisation:
(a) |
or |
(b) |
which has deliberately provided incorrect, incomplete or misleading information to the Commission in the course of its assessment pursuant to Article 8(1) or otherwise obstructed that assessment. |
2. Without prejudice to paragraph 1, where a recognised organisation fails to undertake the preventive and remedial action required by the Commission, or incurs unjustified delays, the Commission may impose periodic penalty payments on that organisation until the required action is fully carried out.
3. The fines and periodic penalty payments referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be dissuasive and proportionate to both the gravity of the case and the economic capacity of the recognised organisation concerned, taking into account, in particular, the extent to which safety or the protection of the environment has been compromised.
They shall be imposed only after the recognised organisation and the Member States concerned have been given the opportunity to submit their observations.
The aggregate amount of the fines and periodic penalty payments imposed shall not exceed 5 % of the total average turnover of the recognised organisation in the preceding three business years for the activities falling under the scope of this Regulation.
4. The Court of Justice of the European Communities shall have unlimited jurisdiction to review decisions whereby the Commission has fixed a fine or periodic penalty payment. It may cancel, reduce or increase the fine or periodic penalty payment imposed.
Article 7
1. The Commission shall withdraw the recognition of an organisation:
(a) |
whose repeated and serious failure to fulfil the minimum criteria set out in Annex I or its obligations under this Regulation is such that it constitutes an unacceptable threat to safety or the environment; |
(b) |
whose repeated and serious failure in its safety and pollution prevention performance is such that it constitutes an unacceptable threat to safety or the environment; |
(c) |
which prevents or repeatedly obstructs the assessment by the Commission; |
(d) |
which fails to pay the fines and/or periodic penalty payments referred to in Article 6(1) and (2); or |
(e) |
which seeks to obtain financial cover or reimbursement of any fines imposed on it pursuant to Article 6. |
2. For the purpose of points (a) and (b) of paragraph 1, the Commission shall decide on the basis of all the available information, including:
(a) |
the results of its own assessment of the recognised organisation concerned pursuant to Article 8(1); |
(b) |
reports submitted by Member States pursuant to Article 10 of Directive 2009/15/EC; |
(c) |
analyses of casualties involving ships classed by the recognised organisations; |
(d) |
any recurrence of the shortcomings referred to in point (a) of Article 6(1); |
(e) |
the extent to which the fleet in the recognised organisation’s class is affected; and |
(f) |
the ineffectiveness of the measures referred to in Article 6(2). |
3. Withdrawal of recognition shall be decided by the Commission, upon its own initiative or at the request of a Member State, in accordance with the regulatory procedure referred to in Article 12(3) and after the recognised organisation concerned has been given the opportunity to submit its observations.
Article 8
1. All the recognised organisations shall be assessed by the Commission, together with the Member State which submitted the relevant request for recognition, on a regular basis and at least every two years to verify that they meet the obligations under this Regulation and fulfil the minimum criteria set out in Annex I. The assessment shall be confined to those activities of the recognised organisations, which fall within the scope of this Regulation.
2. In selecting the recognised organisations for assessment, the Commission shall pay particular attention to the safety and pollution prevention performance of the recognised organisation, to the casualty records and to the reports produced by Member States in accordance with Article 10 of Directive 2009/15/EC.
3. The assessment may include a visit to regional branches of the recognised organisation as well as random inspection of ships, both in service and under construction, for the purpose of auditing the recognised organisation’s performance. In this case the Commission shall, where appropriate, inform the Member State in which the regional branch is located. The Commission shall provide the Member States with a report on the results of the assessment.
4. Each recognised organisation shall make available the results of its quality system management review to the Committee referred to in Article 12(1), on an annual basis.
Article 9
1. Recognised organisations shall ensure that the Commission has access to the information necessary for the purposes of the assessment referred to in Article 8(1). No contractual clauses may be invoked to restrict this access.
2. Recognised organisations shall ensure in their contracts with shipowners or operators for the issue of statutory certificates or class certificates to a ship that such issue shall be made conditional on the parties not opposing the access of the Commission inspectors on board that ship for the purposes of Article 8(1).
Article 10
1. Recognised organisations shall consult with each other periodically with a view to maintaining equivalence and aiming for harmonisation of their rules and procedures and the implementation thereof. They shall cooperate with each other with a view to achieving consistent interpretation of the international conventions, without prejudice to the powers of the flag States. Recognised organisations shall, in appropriate cases, agree on the technical and procedural conditions under which they will mutually recognise the class certificates for materials, equipment and components based on equivalent standards, taking the most demanding and rigorous standards as the reference.
Where mutual recognition cannot be agreed upon for serious safety reasons, recognised organisations shall clearly state the reasons therefor.
Where a recognised organisation ascertains by inspection or otherwise that material, a piece of equipment or a component is not in compliance with its certificate, that organisation may refuse to authorise the placing on board of that material, piece of equipment or component. The recognised organisation shall immediately inform the other recognised organisations, stating the reasons for its refusal.
Recognised organisations shall recognise, for classification purposes, certificates of marine equipment bearing the wheel mark in accordance with Council Directive 96/98/EC of 20 December 1996 on marine equipment (8).
They shall provide the Commission and the Member States with periodic reports on fundamental progress in standards and mutual recognition of certificates for materials, equipment and components.
2. The Commission shall submit a report to the European Parliament and the Council by 17 June 2014, based on an independent study, on the level reached in the process of harmonising the rules and procedures and on mutual recognition of certificates for materials, equipment and components.
3. The recognised organisations shall cooperate with port State control administrations where a ship of their class is concerned, in particular in order to facilitate the rectification of reported deficiencies or other discrepancies.
4. The recognised organisations shall provide to all Member States’ administrations which have granted any of the authorisations provided for in Article 3 of Directive 2009/15/EC and to the Commission all relevant information about their classed fleet, transfers, changes, suspensions and withdrawals of class, irrespective of the flag the ships fly.
Information on transfers, changes, suspensions, and withdrawals of class, including information on all overdue surveys, overdue recommendations, conditions of class, operating conditions or operating restrictions issued against their classed ships, irrespective of the flag the ships fly, shall also be communicated electronically to the common inspection database used by the Member States for the implementation of Directive 2009/16/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on port State control (9) at the same time as it is recorded within the recognised organisation’s own systems and in any case no later than 72 hours after the event that gave rise to the obligation to communicate the information. That information, with the exception of recommendations and conditions of class which are not overdue, shall be published on the website of these recognised organisations.
5. The recognised organisations shall not issue statutory certificates to a ship, irrespective of its flag, which has been declassed or is changing class for safety reasons, before giving the opportunity to the competent administration of the flag State to give its opinion within a reasonable time as to whether a full inspection is necessary.
6. In cases of transfer of class from one recognised organisation to another, the losing organisation shall, without undue delay, provide the gaining organisation with the complete history file of the ship and, in particular, inform it of:
(a) |
any overdue surveys; |
(b) |
any overdue recommendations and conditions of class; |
(c) |
operating conditions issued against the ship; and |
(d) |
operating restrictions issued against the ship. |
New certificates for the ship can be issued by the gaining organisation only after all overdue surveys have been satisfactorily completed and all overdue recommendations or conditions of class previously issued in respect of the ship have been completed as specified by the losing organisation.
Prior to the issue of the certificates, the gaining organisation must advise the losing organisation of the date of issue of the certificates and confirm the date, place and action taken to satisfy each overdue survey, overdue recommendation and overdue condition of class.
Recognised organisations shall establish and implement appropriate common requirements concerning cases of transfer of class where special precautions are necessary. Those cases shall, as a minimum, include the transfer of class of ships of 15 years of age or over and the transfer from a non-recognised organisation to a recognised organisation.
Recognised organisations shall cooperate with each other in properly implementing the provisions of this paragraph.
Article 11
1. Recognised organisations shall set up by 17 June 2011 and maintain an independent quality assessment and certification entity in accordance with the applicable international quality standards where the relevant professional associations working in the shipping industry may participate in an advisory capacity.
2. The quality assessment and certification entity shall carry out the following tasks:
(a) |
frequent and regular assessment of the quality management systems of recognised organisations, in accordance with the ISO 9001 quality standard criteria; |
(b) |
certification of the quality management systems of recognised organisations, including organisations for which recognition has been requested in accordance with Article 3; |
(c) |
issue of interpretations of internationally recognised quality management standards, in particular to take account of the specific features of the nature and obligations of recognised organisations; and |
(d) |
adoption of individual and collective recommendations for the improvement of recognised organisations’ processes and internal control mechanisms. |
3. The quality assessment and certification entity shall have the necessary governance and competences to act independently of the recognised organisations and shall have the necessary means to carry out its duties effectively and to the highest professional standards, safeguarding the independence of the persons performing them. The quality assessment and certification entity will lay down its working methods and rules of procedure.
4. The quality assessment and certification entity may request assistance from other external quality assessment bodies.
5. The quality assessment and certification entity shall provide the interested parties, including flag States and the Commission, with full information on its annual work plan as well as on its findings and recommendations, particularly with regard to situations where safety might have been compromised.
6. The quality assessment and certification entity shall be periodically assessed by the Commission.
7. The Commission shall report to the Member States on the results and follow-up of its assessment.
Article 12
1. The Commission shall be assisted by the Committee on Safe Seas and the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (COSS) established by Regulation (EC) No 2099/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council (10).
2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 3 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.
3. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 5 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.
The period laid down in Article 5(6) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at three months.
4. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5a(1) to (4) and Article 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.
Article 13
1. This Regulation may, without broadening its scope, be amended in order to update the minimum criteria set out in Annex I taking into account, in particular, the relevant decisions of the IMO.
These measures designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 12(4).
2. Amendments to the international conventions defined in Article 2(b) of this Regulation may be excluded from the scope of this Regulation, pursuant to Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 2099/2002.
Article 14
1. The Commission shall adopt and publish:
(a) |
criteria to measure the effectiveness of the rules and procedures as well as the performance of the recognised organisations as regards the safety of, and the prevention of pollution from, their classed ships, having particular regard to the data produced by the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control and/or by other similar schemes; and |
(b) |
criteria to determine when such performance is to be considered an unacceptable threat to safety or the environment, which may take into account specific circumstances affecting smaller-sized or highly specialised organisations. |
These measures designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation by supplementing it shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 12(4).
2. The measures designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation by supplementing it relating to the implementation of Article 6 and, if appropriate, Article 7 shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 12(4).
3. Without prejudice to the immediate application of the minimum criteria set out in Annex I, the Commission may, in accordance with the regulatory procedure referred to in Article 12(3), adopt rules on their interpretation and may consider the establishment of objectives for the general minimum criteria referred to in point 3, Part A of Annex I.
Article 15
1. The organisations which, at the entry into force of this Regulation, had been granted recognition in accordance with Directive 94/57/EC shall retain their recognition, subject to the provisions of paragraph 2.
2. Without prejudice to Articles 5 and 7, the Commission shall re-examine all limited recognitions granted under Directive 94/57/EC in light of Article 4(3) of this Regulation by 17 June 2010, with a view to deciding, in accordance with the regulatory procedure referred to in Article 12(3), whether the limitations are to be replaced by others or removed. The limitations shall continue to apply until the Commission has taken a decision.
Article 16
In the course of the assessment pursuant to Article 8(1), the Commission shall verify that the holder of the recognition is the relevant legal entity within the organisation to which the provisions of this Regulation shall apply. If that is not the case, the Commission shall take a decision amending that recognition.
Where the Commission amends the recognition, the Member States shall adapt their agreements with the recognised organisation to take account of the amendment.
Article 17
The Commission shall, on a biennial basis, inform the European Parliament and the Council on the application of this Regulation.
Article 18
References in Community and national law to Directive 94/57/EC shall be construed, as appropriate, as being made to this Regulation and shall be read in accordance with the correlation table in Annex II.
Article 19
This Regulation shall enter into force on the 20th day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Strasbourg, 23 April 2009.
For the European Parliament
The President
H.-G. PÖTTERING
For the Council
The President
P. NEČAS
(1) OJ C 318, 23.12.2006, p. 195.
(2) OJ C 229, 22.9.2006, p. 38.
(3) Opinion of the European Parliament of 25 April 2007 (OJ C 74 E, 20.3.2008, p. 632), Council Common Position of 6 June 2008 (OJ C 190E, 29.7.2008, p. 1), Position of the European Parliament of 24 September 2008 (not yet published in the Official Journal), Council Decision of 26 February 2009 and Legislative Resolution of the European Parliament of 11 March 2009 (not yet published in the Official Journal).
(4) OJ L 319, 12.12.1994, p. 20.
(5) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.
(7) See page 47 of this Official Journal.
(8) OJ L 46, 17.2.1997, p. 25.
(9) See page 57 of this Official Journal.
(10) OJ L 324, 29.11.2002, p. 1.
ANNEX I
MINIMUM CRITERIA FOR ORGANISATIONS TO OBTAIN OR TO CONTINUE TO ENJOY COMMUNITY RECOGNITION
(referred to in Article 3)
A. GENERAL MINIMUM CRITERIA
1. |
A recognised organisation must have legal personality in the State of its location. Its accounts shall be certified by independent auditors. |
2. |
The recognised organisation must be able to document extensive experience in assessing the design and construction of merchant ships. |
3. |
The recognised organisation must be equipped at all times with significant managerial, technical, support and research staff commensurate with the size of the fleet in its class, its composition and the organisation’s involvement in the construction and conversion of ships. The recognised organisation must be capable of assigning to every place of work, when and as needed, means and staff commensurate with the tasks to be carried out in accordance with general minimum criteria under points 6 and 7 and with the specific minimum criteria under part B. |
4. |
The recognised organisation must have and apply a set of own comprehensive rules and procedures, or the demonstrated ability thereto, for the design, construction and periodic survey of merchant ships, having the quality of internationally recognised standards. They must be published and continually upgraded and improved through research and development programmes. |
5. |
The recognised organisation must have its register of ships published on an annual basis or maintained in an electronic database accessible to the public. |
6. |
The recognised organisation must not be controlled by shipowners or shipbuilders, or by others engaged commercially in the manufacture, equipping, repair or operation of ships. The recognised organisation is not substantially dependent on a single commercial enterprise for its revenue. The recognised organisation does not carry out class or statutory work if it is identical to or has business, personal or family links to the shipowner or operator. This incompatibility shall also apply to surveyors employed by the recognised organisation. |
7. |
The recognised organisation must operate in accordance with the provisions set out in the Annex to IMO Resolution A.789(19) on specifications on the survey and certification functions of recognised organisations acting on behalf of the administration, in so far as they cover matters falling within the scope of this Regulation. |
B. SPECIFIC MINIMUM CRITERIA
1. |
The recognised organisation must provide worldwide coverage by its exclusive surveyors or, in exceptional and duly justified cases, through exclusive surveyors of other recognised organisations. |
2. |
The recognised organisation must be governed by a code of ethics. |
3. |
The recognised organisation must be managed and administered in such a way as to ensure the confidentiality of information required by the administration. |
4. |
The recognised organisation must provide relevant information to the administration, to the Commission and to interested parties. |
5. |
The recognised organisation, its surveyors and its technical staff shall carry out their work without in any way harming the intellectual property rights of shipyards, equipment suppliers, and shipowners, including patents, licences, know-how, or any other kind of knowledge whose use is legally protected at international, Community or national level; under no circumstances, and without prejudice to the assessment powers of Member States and the Commission and in particular under Article 9, may either the recognised organisation or the surveyors and technical staff, whom it employs pass on or divulge commercially relevant data obtained in the course of their work of inspecting, checking, and monitoring ships under construction or repair. |
6. |
The recognised organisation’s management must define and document its policy and objectives for, and commitment to, quality and must ensure that this policy is understood, implemented and maintained at all levels in the recognised organisation. The recognised organisation’s policy must refer to safety and pollution prevention performance targets and indicators. |
7. |
The recognised organisation must ensure that:
|
8. |
The recognised organisation must have developed, implemented and must maintain an effective internal quality system based on appropriate parts of internationally recognised quality standards and in compliance with EN ISO/IEC 17020:2004 (inspection bodies) and with EN ISO 9001:2000 (quality management systems, requirements), as interpreted and certified by the quality assessment and certification entity referred to in Article 11(1). |
9. |
The rules and procedures of the recognised organisation must be implemented in such a way that the organisation remains in a position to derive from its own direct knowledge and judgment a reliable and objective declaration on the safety of the ships concerned by means of class certificates on the basis of which statutory certificates can be issued. |
10. |
The recognised organisation must have the necessary means of assessing, through the use of qualified professional staff and pursuant to the provisions set out in the Annex to IMO Resolution A.913(22) on guidelines on implementation of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code by administrations, the application and maintenance of the safety management system, both shore-based and on board ships, intended to be covered in the certification. |
11. |
The recognised organisation must allow participation in the development of its rules and procedures by representatives of the administration and other parties concerned. |
ANNEX II
Correlation table
Directive 94/57/EC |
Directive 2009/15/EC |
This Regulation |
Article 1 |
Article 1 |
Article 1 |
Article 2(a) |
Article 2(a) |
Article 2(a) |
Article 2(b) |
Article 2(b) |
— |
Article 2(c) |
Article 2(c) |
— |
Article 2(d) |
Article 2(d) |
Article 2(b) |
Article 2(e) |
Article 2(e) |
Article 2(c) |
— |
Article 2(f) |
Article 2(d) |
Article 2(f) |
Article 2(g) |
Article 2(e) |
Article 2(g) |
Article 2(h) |
Article 2(f) |
Article 2(h) |
Article 2(i) |
Article 2(g) |
Article 2(i) |
Article 2(k) |
Article 2(i) |
— |
Article 2(j) |
Article 2(h) |
Article 2(j) |
Article 2(l) |
— |
Article 2(k) |
— |
Article 2(j) |
Article 3 |
Article 3 |
— |
Article 4(1) first phrase |
— |
Article 3(1) |
Article 4(1) second phrase |
— |
Article 3(2) |
Article 4(1) third phrase |
— |
— |
Article 4(1) fourth phrase |
— |
Article 4(1) |
— |
— |
Article 3(3) |
— |
— |
Article 4(2), (3), (4) |
— |
— |
Article 5 |
— |
— |
Article 6 |
— |
— |
Article 7 |
Article 5(1) |
Article 4(1) |
— |
Article 5(3) |
Article 4(2) |
— |
Article 6(1), (2), (3), (4) |
Article 5(1), (2), (3), (4) |
— |
Article 6(5) |
— |
— |
Article 7 |
Article 6 |
Article 12 |
Article 8(1) first indent |
Article 7(1), point (a) of first subparagraph |
— |
Article 8(1) second indent |
— |
Article 13(1) |
Article 8(1) third indent |
Article 7(1), point (b) of first subparagraph |
— |
— |
Article 7(1) second subparagraph |
Article 13(1) second subparagraph |
Article 8(2) |
Article 7(2) |
— |
Article 8(2) second subparagraph |
— |
Article 13(2) |
Article 9(1) |
— |
— |
Article 9(2) |
— |
— |
Article 10(1) introductory wording |
Article 8 |
— |
Article 10(1)(a), (b), (c), (2), (3), (4) |
— |
— |
Article 11(1), (2) |
Article 9(1), (2) |
— |
Article 11(3), (4) |
— |
Article 8(1), (2) |
Article 12 |
Article 10 |
— |
Article 13 |
— |
— |
Article 14 |
Article 11(1), (2) |
— |
— |
Article 11(3) |
— |
— |
Article 12 |
— |
— |
|
Article 9 |
Article 15(1) |
|
|
|
|
Article 10(1), (2) |
Article 15(2) |
|
Article 10(3) |
Article 15(3) |
— |
Article 10(4) |
Article 15(4) |
|
Article 10(5) |
Article 15(5) |
|
Article 10(6) first, second, third, fifth subparagraphs |
— |
|
Article 10(6) fourth subparagraph |
Article 16 |
Article 13 |
— |
Article 17 |
Article 16 |
— |
— |
Article 14 |
— |
— |
Article 15 |
— |
|
|
Article 11 |
|
|
Article 14 |
|
|
Article 15 |
|
|
Article 16 |
|
|
Article 17 |
|
|
Article 18 |
|
|
Article 19 |
Annex |
|
Annex I |
|
Annex I |
|
|
Annex II |
Annex II |
28.5.2009 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
L 131/24 |
REGULATION (EC) No 392/2009 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
of 23 April 2009
on the liability of carriers of passengers by sea in the event of accidents
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 80(2) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (2),
Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (3), in the light of the joint text approved by the Conciliation Committee on 3 February 2009,
Whereas:
(1) |
Within the framework of the common transport policy, further measures need to be adopted in order to enhance safety in maritime transport. Those measures should include liability rules for damage caused to passengers, since it is important to ensure a proper level of compensation for passengers involved in maritime accidents. |
(2) |
The Protocol of 2002 to the Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 1974 was adopted on 1 November 2002 under the auspices of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The Community and its Member States are in the process of deciding whether to accede to or ratify that Protocol. In any case, the provisions thereof incorporated by this Regulation should apply for the Community from no later than 31 December 2012. |
(3) |
The Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea 1974, as amended by the Protocol of 2002 (the Athens Convention), applies to international transport only. The distinction between national and international transport has been eliminated within the internal market in maritime transport services and it is therefore appropriate to have the same level and nature of liability in both international and national transport within the Community. |
(4) |
The insurance arrangements required under the Athens Convention must take into consideration the financial means of ship-owners and insurance companies. Ship-owners must be in a position to manage their insurance arrangements in an economically acceptable way and, particularly in the case of small shipping companies operating national transport services, account must be taken of the seasonal nature of their operations. When setting insurance arrangements under this Regulation, account should therefore be taken of the different classes of ship. |
(5) |
It is appropriate to oblige the carrier to make an advance payment in the event of the death of or personal injury to a passenger, whereby advance payment does not constitute recognition of liability. |
(6) |
Appropriate information on rights being conferred on passengers should be provided to those passengers prior to their journey or, where that is not possible, at the latest on departure. |
(7) |
The Legal Committee of the IMO adopted on 19 October 2006 the IMO Reservation and Guidelines for the Implementation of the Athens Convention (the IMO Guidelines) to address certain issues under the Athens Convention, such as, in particular, compensation for terrorism-related damage. As such, the IMO Guidelines may be considered a lex specialis. |
(8) |
This Regulation incorporates and makes binding parts of the IMO Guidelines. To that end, where it occurs in the provisions of the IMO Guidelines, the verb ‘should’ should, in particular, be understood as ‘shall’. |
(9) |
The provisions of the Athens Convention (Annex I) and of the IMO Guidelines (Annex II) should be understood, mutatis mutandis, in the context of Community legislation. |
(10) |
The system of liability provided for by this Regulation should be extended step-by-step to the different classes of ship as set out in Article 4 of Council Directive 98/18/EC of 17 March 1998 on safety rules and standards for passenger ships (4). Account should be taken of the consequences for fares and the ability of the market to obtain affordable insurance coverage at the level required against the policy background of strengthening passengers' rights and the seasonal nature of some of the traffic. |
(11) |
The matters covered by Articles 17 and 17bis of the Athens Convention fall within the exclusive competence of the Community in so far as those Articles affect the rules established by Council Regulation (EC) No 44/2001 of 22 December 2000 on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters (5). To that extent, these two provisions will form part of the Community legal order when the Community accedes to the Athens Convention. |
(12) |
For the purposes of this Regulation, the expression ‘or is registered in a Member State’ should be considered to mean that the flag State for the purposes of bareboat charter-out registration is either a Member State or a contracting party to the Athens Convention. Necessary steps should be taken by the Member States and the Commission to invite the IMO to develop guidelines on the concept of bareboat charter-out registration. |
(13) |
For the purposes of this Regulation, the expression ‘mobility equipment’ should be considered to mean neither luggage nor vehicles within the meaning of Article 8 of the Athens Convention. |
(14) |
The measures necessary for the implementation of this Regulation should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (6). |
(15) |
In particular, the Commission should be empowered to amend this Regulation in order to incorporate subsequent amendments to the international conventions, protocols, codes and resolutions related thereto. Since those measures are of general scope and are designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation, inter alia, by supplementing it with new non-essential elements, they must be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny provided for in Article 5a of Decision 1999/468/EC. |
(16) |
The European Maritime Safety Agency, established by Regulation (EC) No 1406/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council (7), should assist the Commission in preparing and drafting a progress report on the functioning of the rules laid down by this Regulation. |
(17) |
The national authorities, particularly the port authorities, play a fundamental and vital role in identifying and managing the various risks in relation to maritime safety. |
(18) |
Member States have taken the firm commitment in their Statement on Maritime Safety of 9 October 2008 to express, no later than 1 January 2012, their consent to be bound by the International Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, 1976, as amended by the Protocol of 1996. Member States may make use of the option provided for in Article 15(3bis) of that Convention to regulate, by means of specific provisions of this Regulation, the system of limitation of liability to be applied to passengers. |
(19) |
Since the objective of this Regulation, namely to create a single set of rules governing the rights of carriers by sea and their passengers in the event of an accident, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States and can therefore, by reason of its scale and effects, be better achieved at Community level, the Community may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that objective, |
HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Article 1
Subject matter
1. This Regulation lays down the Community regime relating to liability and insurance for the carriage of passengers by sea as set out in the relevant provisions of:
(a) |
the Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 1974, as amended by the Protocol of 2002 (the Athens Convention) as set out in Annex I; and |
(b) |
the IMO Reservation and Guidelines for Implementation of the Athens Convention adopted by the Legal Committee of the IMO on 19 October 2006 (the IMO Guidelines) as set out in Annex II. |
2. Furthermore, this Regulation extends the application of those provisions to carriage of passengers by sea within a single Member State on board ships of Classes A and B under Article 4 of Directive 98/18/EC, and lays down certain supplementary requirements.
3. No later than 30 June 2013, the Commission shall, if appropriate, present a legislative proposal in order, inter alia, to extend the scope of this Regulation to ships of Classes C and D under Article 4 of Directive 98/18/EC.
Article 2
Scope
This Regulation shall apply to any international carriage within the meaning of point 9 of Article 1 of the Athens Convention and to carriage by sea within a single Member State on board ships of Classes A and B under Article 4 of Directive 98/18/EC, where:
(a) |
the ship is flying the flag of or is registered in a Member State; |
(b) |
the contract of carriage has been made in a Member State; or |
(c) |
the place of departure or destination, according to the contract of carriage, is in a Member State. |
Member States may apply this Regulation to all domestic sea-going voyages.
Article 3
Liability and insurance
1. The liability regime in respect of passengers, their luggage and their vehicles and the rules on insurance or other financial security shall be governed by this Regulation, by Articles 1 and 1bis, Article 2(2), Articles 3 to16 and Articles 18, 20 and 21 of the Athens Convention set out in Annex I and by the provisions of the IMO Guidelines set out in Annex II.
2. The IMO Guidelines as set out in Annex II shall be binding.
Article 4
Compensation in respect of mobility equipment or other specific equipment
In the event of loss of, or damage to, mobility equipment or other specific equipment used by a passenger with reduced mobility, the liability of the carrier shall be governed by Article 3(3) of the Athens Convention. The compensation shall correspond to the replacement value of the equipment concerned or, where applicable, to the costs relating to repairs.
Article 5
Global limitation of liability
1. This Regulation shall not modify the rights or duties of the carrier or performing carrier under national legislation implementing the International Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, 1976, as amended by the Protocol of 1996, including any future amendment thereto.
In the absence of any such applicable national legislation, the liability of the carrier or performing carrier shall be governed only by Article 3 of this Regulation.
2. In respect of claims for loss of life or personal injury to a passenger caused by any of the risks referred to in paragraph 2.2 of the IMO Guidelines the carrier and the performing carrier may limit their liability pursuant to the provisions referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article.
Article 6
Advance payment
1. Where the death of, or personal injury to, a passenger is caused by a shipping incident, the carrier who actually performed the whole or a part of the carriage when the shipping incident occurred shall make an advance payment sufficient to cover immediate economic needs on a basis proportionate to the damage suffered within 15 days of the identification of the person entitled to damages. In the event of the death, the payment shall not be less than EUR 21 000.
This provision shall also apply where the carrier is established within the Community.
2. An advance payment shall not constitute recognition of liability and may be offset against any subsequent sums paid on the basis of this Regulation. It shall not be refundable, except in the cases set out in Article 3(1) or Article 6 of the Athens Convention or Appendix A to the IMO Guidelines, or where the person who received it is not the person entitled to damages.
Article 7
Information to passengers
Without prejudice to the obligations of tour operators set out in Council Directive 90/314/EEC of 13 June 1990 on package travel, package holidays and package tours (8), the carrier and/or performing carrier shall ensure that passengers are provided with appropriate and comprehensible information regarding their rights under this Regulation.
Where the contract of carriage is made in a Member State, that information shall be provided at all points of sale, including sale by telephone and via the Internet. Where the place of departure is in a Member State, that information shall be provided prior to departure. In all other cases, it shall be provided at the latest on departure. To the extent that the information required under this Article has been provided by either the carrier or the performing carrier, the other shall not be obliged to provide it. The information shall be provided in the most appropriate format.
In order to comply with the information requirement under this Article, the carrier and performing carrier shall provide passengers with at least the information contained in a summary of the provisions of this Regulation prepared by the Commission and made public.
Article 8
Reporting
No later than three years after the date of application of this Regulation, the Commission shall draw up a report on the application of this Regulation, which shall, inter alia, take into account economic developments and developments in international fora.
That report may be accompanied by a proposal for amendment of this Regulation, or by a proposal for a submission to be made by the Community before the relevant international fora.
Article 9
Amendments
1. Measures designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation and relating to the incorporation of amendments to the limits set out in Article 3(1), Article 4bis(1), Article 7(1) and Article 8 of the Athens Convention to take account of decisions taken pursuant to Article 23 of that Convention, as well as corresponding updates to Annex I to this Regulation, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 10(2) of this Regulation.
Taking into consideration the consequences for fares and the ability of the market to obtain affordable insurance coverage at the level required against the policy background of strengthening passengers' rights, as well as the seasonal nature of some of the traffic, by 31 December 2016, the Commission shall, on the basis of a suitable impact assessment, adopt a measure relating to the limits set out in Annex I for ships of Class B under Article 4 of Directive 98/18/EC. That measure, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 10(2) of this Regulation.
2. Measures designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation and relating to the incorporation of amendments to the provisions of the IMO Guidelines set out in Annex II shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 10(2).
Article 10
Committee procedure
1. The Commission shall be assisted by the Committee on Safe Seas and the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (COSS) established by Regulation (EC) No 2099/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council (9).
2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5a(1) to (4) and Article 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.
Article 11
Transitional provisions
1. In respect of carriage by sea within a single Member State on board ships of Class A under Article 4 of Directive 98/18/EC, Member States may choose to defer application of this Regulation until four years after the date of its application.
2. In respect of carriage by sea within a single Member State on board ships of Class B under Article 4 of Directive 98/18/EC, Member States may choose to defer application of this Regulation until 31 December 2018.
Article 12
Entry into force
This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
It shall apply from the date of the entry into force of the Athens Convention for the Community, and in any case from no later than 31 December 2012.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Strasbourg, 23 April 2009.
For the European Parliament
The President
H.-G. PÖTTERING
For the Council
The President
P. NEČAS
(1) OJ C 318, 23.12.2006, p. 195.
(2) OJ C 229, 22.9.2006, p. 38.
(3) Opinion of the European Parliament of 25 April 2007 (OJ C 74 E, 20.3.2008, p. 562), Council Common Position of 6 June 2008 (OJ C 190 E, 29.7.2008, p. 17), Position of the European Parliament of 24 September 2008 (not yet published in the Official Journal), Council Decision of 26 February 2009 and Legislative Resolution of the European Parliament of 11 March 2009 (not yet published in the Official Journal).
(4) OJ L 144, 15.5.1998, p. 1.
(6) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.
(8) OJ L 158, 23.6.1990, p. 59.
(9) OJ L 324, 29.11.2002, p. 1.
ANNEX I
PROVISIONS OF THE ATHENS CONVENTION RELATING TO THE CARRIAGE OF PASSENGERS AND THEIR LUGGAGE BY SEA RELEVANT FOR THE APPLICATION OF THIS REGULATION
(Consolidated text of the Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 1974 and the Protocol of 2002 to the Convention)
Article 1
Definitions
In this Convention the following expressions have the meaning hereby assigned to them:
1. |
|
2. |
‘contract of carriage’ means a contract made by or on behalf of a carrier for the carriage by sea of a passenger or of a passenger and his luggage, as the case may be; |
3. |
‘ship’ means only a seagoing vessel, excluding an air-cushion vehicle; |
4. |
‘passenger’ means any person carried in a ship:
|
5. |
‘luggage’ means any article or vehicle carried by the carrier under a contract of carriage, excluding:
|
6. |
‘cabin luggage’ means luggage which the passenger has in his cabin or is otherwise in his possession, custody or control. Except for the application of paragraph 8 of this Article and Article 8, cabin luggage includes luggage which the passenger has in or on his vehicle; |
7. |
‘loss of or damage to luggage’ includes pecuniary loss resulting from the luggage not having been re-delivered to the passenger within a reasonable time after the arrival of the ship on which the luggage has been or should have been carried, but does not include delays resulting from labour disputes; |
8. |
‘carriage’ covers the following periods:
|
9. |
‘international carriage’ means any carriage in which, according to the contract of carriage, the place of departure and the place of destination are situated in two different States, or in a single State if, according to the contract of carriage or the scheduled itinerary, there is an intermediate port of call in another State; |
10. |
‘Organisation’ means the International Maritime Organisation; |
11. |
‘Secretary-General’ means the Secretary-General of the Organisation. |
Article 1bis
Annex
The Annex to this Convention shall constitute an integral part of the Convention.
Article 2
Application
1. […] (1)
2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1 of this Article, this Convention shall not apply when the carriage is subject, under any other international convention concerning the carriage of passengers or luggage by another mode of transport, to a civil liability regime under the provisions of such convention, in so far as those provisions have mandatory application to carriage by sea.
Article 3
Liability of the carrier
1. For the loss suffered as a result of the death of or personal injury to a passenger caused by a shipping incident, the carrier shall be liable to the extent that such loss in respect of that passenger on each distinct occasion does not exceed 250 000 units of account, unless the carrier proves that the incident:
(a) |
resulted from an act of war, hostilities, civil war, insurrection or a natural phenomenon of an exceptional, inevitable and irresistible character; or |
(b) |
was wholly caused by an act or omission done with the intent to cause the incident by a third party. |
If and to the extent that the loss exceeds the above limit, the carrier shall be further liable unless the carrier proves that the incident which caused the loss occurred without the fault or neglect of the carrier.
2. For the loss suffered as a result of the death of or personal injury to a passenger not caused by a shipping incident, the carrier shall be liable if the incident which caused the loss was due to the fault or neglect of the carrier. The burden of proving fault or neglect shall lie with the claimant.
3. For the loss suffered as a result of the loss of or damage to cabin luggage, the carrier shall be liable if the incident which caused the loss was due to the fault or neglect of the carrier. The fault or neglect of the carrier shall be presumed for loss caused by a shipping incident.
4. For the loss suffered as a result of the loss of or damage to luggage other than cabin luggage, the carrier shall be liable unless the carrier proves that the incident which caused the loss occurred without the fault or neglect of the carrier.
5. For the purposes of this Article:
(a) |
‘shipping incident’ means shipwreck, capsizing, collision or stranding of the ship, explosion or fire in the ship, or defect in the ship; |
(b) |
‘fault or neglect of the carrier’ includes the fault or neglect of the servants of the carrier, acting within the scope of their employment; |
(c) |
‘defect in the ship’ means any malfunction, failure or non-compliance with applicable safety regulations in respect of any part of the ship or its equipment when used for the escape, evacuation, embarkation and disembarkation of passengers, or when used for the propulsion, steering, safe navigation, mooring, anchoring, arriving at or leaving berth or anchorage, or damage control after flooding; or when used for the launching of life saving appliances; and |
(d) |
‘loss’ shall not include punitive or exemplary damages. |
6. The liability of the carrier under this Article only relates to loss arising from incidents that occurred in the course of the carriage. The burden of proving that the incident which caused the loss occurred in the course of the carriage, and the extent of the loss, shall lie with the claimant.
7. Nothing in this Convention shall prejudice any right of recourse of the carrier against any third party, or the defence of contributory negligence under Article 6 of this Convention. Nothing in this Article shall prejudice any right of limitation under Articles 7 or 8 of this Convention.
8. Presumptions of fault or neglect of a party or the allocation of the burden of proof to a party shall not prevent evidence in favour of that party from being considered.
Article 4
Performing carrier
1. If the performance of the carriage or part thereof has been entrusted to a performing carrier, the carrier shall nevertheless remain liable for the entire carriage according to the provisions of this Convention. In addition, the performing carrier shall be subject and entitled to the provisions of this Convention for the part of the carriage performed by him.
2. The carrier shall, in relation to the carriage performed by the performing carrier, be liable for the acts and omissions of the performing carrier and of his servants and agents acting within the scope of their employment.
3. Any special agreement under which the carrier assumes obligations not imposed by this Convention or any waiver of rights conferred by this Convention shall affect the performing carrier only if agreed by him expressly and in writing.
4. Where and to the extent that both the carrier and the performing carrier are liable, their liability shall be joint and several.
5. Nothing in this Article shall prejudice any right of recourse as between the carrier and the performing carrier.
Article 4bis
Compulsory insurance
1. When passengers are carried on board a ship registered in a State Party that is licensed to carry more than twelve passengers, and this Convention applies, any carrier who actually performs the whole or a part of the carriage shall maintain insurance or other financial security, such as the guarantee of a bank or similar financial institution, to cover liability under this Convention in respect of the death of and personal injury to passengers. The limit of the compulsory insurance or other financial security shall not be less than 250 000 units of account per passenger on each distinct occasion.
2. A certificate attesting that insurance or other financial security is in force in accordance with the provisions of this Convention shall be issued to each ship after the appropriate authority of a State Party has determined that the requirements of paragraph 1 have been complied with. With respect to a ship registered in a State Party, such certificate shall be issued or certified by the appropriate authority of the State of the ship's registry; with respect to a ship not registered in a State Party it may be issued or certified by the appropriate authority of any State Party. This certificate shall be in the form of the model set out in the annex to this Convention and shall contain the following particulars:
(a) |
name of ship, distinctive number or letters and port of registry; |
(b) |
name and principal place of business of the carrier who actually performs the whole or a part of the carriage; |
(c) |
IMO ship identification number; |
(d) |
type and duration of security; |
(e) |
name and principal place of business of insurer or other person providing financial security and, where appropriate, place of business where the insurance or other financial security is established; and |
(f) |
period of validity of the certificate, which shall not be longer than the period of validity of the insurance or other financial security. |
3. |
|
4. The certificate shall be in the official language or languages of the issuing State. If the language used is not English, French or Spanish, the text shall include a translation into one of these languages, and, where the State so decides, the official language of the State may be omitted.
5. The certificate shall be carried on board the ship, and a copy shall be deposited with the authorities who keep the record of the ship's registry or, if the ship is not registered in a State Party, with the authority of the State issuing or certifying the certificate.
6. An insurance or other financial security shall not satisfy the requirements of this Article if it can cease, for reasons other than the expiry of the period of validity of the insurance or security specified in the certificate, before three months have elapsed from the date on which notice of its termination is given to the authorities referred to in paragraph 5, unless the certificate has been surrendered to these authorities or a new certificate has been issued within the said period. The foregoing provisions shall similarly apply to any modification which results in the insurance or other financial security no longer satisfying the requirements of this Article.
7. The State of the ship's registry shall, subject to the provisions of this Article, determine the conditions of issue and validity of the certificate.
8. Nothing in this Convention shall be construed as preventing a State Party from relying on information obtained from other States or the Organisation or other international organisations relating to the financial standing of providers of insurance or other financial security for the purposes of this Convention. In such cases, the State Party relying on such information is not relieved of its responsibility as a State issuing the certificate.
9. Certificates issued or certified under the authority of a State Party shall be accepted by other States Parties for the purposes of this Convention and shall be regarded by other States Parties as having the same force as certificates issued or certified by them, even if issued or certified in respect of a ship not registered in a State Party. A State Party may at any time request consultation with the issuing or certifying State should it believe that the insurer or guarantor named in the insurance certificate is not financially capable of meeting the obligations imposed by this Convention.
10. Any claim for compensation covered by insurance or other financial security pursuant to this Article may be brought directly against the insurer or other person providing financial security. In such case, the amount set out in paragraph 1 applies as the limit of liability of the insurer or other person providing financial security, even if the carrier or the performing carrier is not entitled to limitation of liability. The defendant may further invoke the defences (other than the bankruptcy or winding up) which the carrier referred to in paragraph 1 would have been entitled to invoke in accordance with this Convention. Furthermore, the defendant may invoke the defence that the damage resulted from the wilful misconduct of the assured, but the defendant shall not invoke any other defence which the defendant might have been entitled to invoke in proceedings brought by the assured against the defendant. The defendant shall in any event have the right to require the carrier and the performing carrier to be joined in the proceedings.
11. Any sums provided by insurance or by other financial security maintained in accordance with paragraph 1 shall be available exclusively for the satisfaction of claims under this Convention, and any payments made of such sums shall discharge any liability arising under this Convention to the extent of the amounts paid.
12. A State Party shall not permit a ship under its flag to which this Article applies to operate at any time unless a certificate has been issued under paragraphs 2 or 15.
13. Subject to the provisions of this Article, each State Party shall ensure, under its national law, that insurance or other financial security, to the extent specified in paragraph 1, is in force in respect of any ship that is licensed to carry more than twelve passengers, wherever registered, entering or leaving a port in its territory in so far as this Convention applies.
14. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 5, a State Party may notify the Secretary-General that, for the purposes of paragraph 13, ships are not required to carry on board or to produce the certificate required by paragraph 2 when entering or leaving ports in its territory, provided that the State Party which issues the certificate has notified the Secretary-General that it maintains records in an electronic format, accessible to all States Parties, attesting the existence of the certificate and enabling States Parties to discharge their obligations under paragraph 13.
15. If insurance or other financial security is not maintained in respect of a ship owned by a State Party, the provisions of this Article relating thereto shall not be applicable to such ship, but the ship shall carry a certificate issued by the appropriate authorities of the State of the ship's registry, stating that the ship is owned by that State and that the liability is covered within the amount prescribed in accordance with paragraph 1. Such a certificate shall follow as closely as possible the model prescribed by paragraph 2.
Article 5
Valuables
The carrier shall not be liable for the loss of or damage to monies, negotiable securities, gold, silverware, jewellery, ornaments, works of art, or other valuables, except where such valuables have been deposited with the carrier for the agreed purpose of safe-keeping in which case the carrier shall be liable up to the limit provided for in paragraph 3 of Article 8 unless a higher limit is agreed upon in accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 10.
Article 6
Contributory fault
If the carrier proves that the death of or personal injury to a passenger or the loss of or damage to his luggage was caused or contributed to by the fault or neglect of the passenger, the Court seized of the case may exonerate the carrier wholly or partly from his liability in accordance with the provisions of the law of that court.
Article 7
Limit of liability for death and personal injury
1. The liability of the carrier for the death of or personal injury to a passenger under Article 3 shall in no case exceed 400 000 units of account per passenger on each distinct occasion. Where, in accordance with the law of the court seized of the case, damages are awarded in the form of periodical income payments, the equivalent capital value of those payments shall not exceed the said limit.
2. A State Party may regulate by specific provisions of national law the limit of liability prescribed in paragraph 1, provided that the national limit of liability, if any, is not lower than that prescribed in paragraph 1. A State Party, which makes use of the option provided for in this paragraph, shall inform the Secretary-General of the limit of liability adopted or of the fact that there is none.
Article 8
Limit of liability for loss of or damage to luggage and vehicles
1. The liability of the carrier for the loss of or damage to cabin luggage shall in no case exceed 2 250 units of account per passenger, per carriage.
2. The liability of the carrier for the loss of or damage to vehicles including all luggage carried in or on the vehicle shall in no case exceed 12 700 units of account per vehicle, per carriage.
3. The liability of the carrier for the loss of or damage to luggage other than that mentioned in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall in no case exceed 3 375 units of account per passenger, per carriage.
4. The carrier and the passenger may agree that the liability of the carrier shall be subject to a deductible not exceeding 330 units of account in the case of damage to a vehicle and not exceeding 149 units of account per passenger in the case of loss of or damage to other luggage, such sum to be deducted from the loss or damage.
Article 9
Unit of Account and conversion
1. The Unit of Account mentioned in this Convention is the Special Drawing Right as defined by the International Monetary Fund. The amounts mentioned in Article 3(1), Article 4bis(1), Article 7(l) and Article 8 shall be converted into the national currency of the State of the court seized of the case on the basis of the value of that currency by reference to the Special Drawing Right on the date of the judgment or the date agreed upon by the parties. The value of the national currency, in terms of the Special Drawing Right, of a State Party which is a member of the International Monetary Fund, shall be calculated in accordance with the method of valuation applied by the International Monetary Fund in effect on the date in question for its operations and transactions. The value of the national currency, in terms of the Special Drawing Right, of a State Party which is not a member of the International Monetary Fund, shall be calculated in a manner determined by that State Party.
2. Nevertheless, a State which is not a member of the International Monetary Fund and whose law does not permit the application of the provisions of paragraph 1 may, at the time of ratification, acceptance, approval of or accession to this Convention or at any time thereafter, declare that the Unit of Account referred to in paragraph 1 shall be equal to 15 gold francs. The gold franc referred to in this paragraph corresponds to sixty-five and a half milligrams of gold of millesimal fineness nine hundred. The conversion of the gold franc into the national currency shall be made according to the law of the State concerned.
3. The calculation mentioned in the last sentence of paragraph 1, and the conversion mentioned in paragraph 2 shall be made in such a manner as to express in the national currency of the States Parties, as far as possible, the same real value for the amounts in Article 3(1), Article 4bis(1), Article 7(1) and Article 8 as would result from the application of the first three sentences of paragraph 1. States shall communicate to the Secretary-General the manner of calculation pursuant to paragraph 1, or the result of the conversion in paragraph 2, as the case may be, when depositing an instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval of or accession to this Convention and whenever there is a change in either.
Article 10
Supplementary provisions on limits of liability
1. The carrier and the passenger may agree, expressly and in writing, to higher limits of liability than those prescribed in Articles 7 and 8.
2. Interest on damages and legal costs shall not be included in the limits of liability prescribed in Articles 7 and 8.
Article 11
Defences and limits for carriers' servants
If an action is brought against a servant or agent of the carrier or of the performing carrier arising out of damage covered by this Convention, such servant or agent, if he proves that he acted within the scope of his employment, shall be entitled to avail himself of the defences and limits of liability which the carrier or the performing carrier is entitled to invoke under this Convention.
Article 12
Aggregation of claims
1. Where the limits of liability prescribed in Articles 7 and 8 take effect, they shall apply to the aggregate of the amounts recoverable in all claims arising out of the death of or personal injury to any one passenger or the loss of or damage to his luggage.
2. In relation to the carriage performed by a performing carrier, the aggregate of the amounts recoverable from the carrier and the performing carrier and from their servants and agents acting within the scope of their employment shall not exceed the highest amount which could be awarded against either the carrier or the performing carrier under this Convention, but none of the persons mentioned shall be liable for a sum in excess of the limit applicable to him.
3. In any case where a servant or agent of the carrier or of the performing carrier is entitled under Article 11 of this Convention to avail himself of the limits of liability prescribed in Articles 7 and 8, the aggregate of the amounts recoverable from the carrier, or the performing carrier as the case may be, and from that servant or agent, shall not exceed those limits.
Article 13
Loss of right to limit liability
1. The carrier shall not be entitled to the benefit of the limits of liability prescribed in Articles 7 and 8 and Article 10(1), if it is proved that the damage resulted from an act or omission of the carrier done with the intent to cause such damage, or recklessly and with knowledge that such damage would probably result.
2. The servant or agent of the carrier or of the performing carrier shall not be entitled to the benefit of those limits if it is proved that the damage resulted from an act or omission of that servant or agent done with the intent to cause such damage, or recklessly and with knowledge that such damage would probably result.
Article 14
Basis for claims
No action for damages for the death of or personal injury to a passenger, or for the loss of or damage to luggage, shall be brought against a carrier or performing carrier otherwise than in accordance with this Convention.
Article 15
Notice of loss or damage to luggage
1. The passenger shall give written notice to the carrier or his agent:
(a) |
in the case of apparent damage to luggage:
|
(b) |
in the case of damage to luggage which is not apparent, or loss of luggage, within 15 days from the date of disembarkation or re-delivery or from the time when such re-delivery should have taken place. |
2. If the passenger fails to comply with this Article, he shall be presumed, unless the contrary is proved, to have received the luggage undamaged.
3. The notice in writing need not be given if the condition of the luggage has at the time of its receipt been the subject of joint survey or inspection.
Article 16
Time-bar for actions
1. Any action for damages arising out of the death of or personal injury to a passenger or for the loss of or damage to luggage shall be time-barred after a period of two years.
2. The limitation period shall be calculated as follows:
(a) |
in the case of personal injury, from the date of disembarkation of the passenger; |
(b) |
in the case of death occurring during carriage, from the date when the passenger should have disembarked, and in the case of personal injury occurring during carriage and resulting in the death of the passenger after disembarkation, from the date of death, provided that this period shall not exceed three years from the date of disembarkation; |
(c) |
in the case of loss of or damage to luggage, from the date of disembarkation or from the date when disembarkation should have taken place, whichever is later. |
3. The law of the Court seized of the case shall govern the grounds for suspension and interruption of limitation periods, but in no case shall an action under this Convention be brought after the expiration of any one of the following periods of time:
(a) |
a period of five years beginning with the date of disembarkation of the passenger or from the date when disembarkation should have taken place, whichever is later; or, if earlier; |
(b) |
a period of three years beginning with the date when the claimant knew or ought reasonably to have known of the injury, loss or damage caused by the incident. |
4. Notwithstanding paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of this Article, the period of limitation may be extended by a declaration of the carrier or by agreement of the parties after the cause of action has arisen. The declaration or agreement shall be in writing.
Article 17
Competent jurisdiction (2)
Article 17bis
Recognition and enforcement (2)
Article 18
Invalidity of contractual provisions
Any contractual provision concluded before the occurrence of the incident which has caused the death of or personal injury to a passenger or the loss of or damage to the passenger's luggage, purporting to relieve any person liable under this Convention of liability towards the passenger or to prescribe a lower limit of liability than that fixed in this Convention except as provided in Article 8, paragraph 4, and any such provision purporting to shift the burden of proof which rests on the carrier or performing carrier, or having the effect of restricting the options specified in Article 17, paragraphs 1 or 2, shall be null and void, but the nullity of that provision shall not render void the contract of carriage which shall remain subject to the provisions of this Convention.
Article 20
Nuclear damage
No liability shall arise under this Convention for damage caused by a nuclear incident:
(a) |
if the operator of a nuclear installation is liable for such damage under either the Paris Convention of 29 July 1960 on Third Party Liability in the Field of Nuclear Energy as amended by its Additional Protocol of 28 January 1964, or the Vienna Convention of 21 May 1963 on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage, or any amendment or Protocol thereto which is in force; or |
(b) |
if the operator of a nuclear installation is liable for such damage by virtue of a national law governing the liability for such damage, provided that such law is in all respects as favourable to persons who may suffer damage as either the Paris or the Vienna Conventions or any amendment or Protocol thereto which is in force. |
Article 21
Commercial carriage by public authorities
This Convention shall apply to commercial carriage undertaken by States or Public Authorities under contract of carriage within the meaning of Article 1.
[Articles 22 and 23 of the Protocol of 2002 to the Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 1974]
Article 22
Revision and amendment (3)
Article 23
Amendment of limits
1. Without prejudice to the provisions of Article 22, the special procedure in this Article shall apply solely for the purposes of amending the limits set out in Article 3(1), Article 4bis(1), Article 7(1) and Article 8 of the Convention as revised by this Protocol.
2. Upon the request of at least one half, but in no case less than six, of the States Parties to this Protocol, any proposal to amend the limits, including the deductibles, specified in Article 3(1), Article 4bis(1), Article 7(1) and Article 8 of the Convention as revised by this Protocol shall be circulated by the Secretary General to all Members of the Organisation and to all States Parties.
3. Any amendment proposed and circulated as above shall be submitted to the Legal Committee of the Organisation (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Legal Committee’) for consideration at a date at least six months after the date of its circulation.
4. All States Parties to the Convention as revised by this Protocol, whether or not Members of the Organisation, shall be entitled to participate in the proceedings of the Legal Committee for the consideration and adoption of amendments.
5. Amendments shall be adopted by a two thirds majority of the States Parties to the Convention as revised by this Protocol present and voting in the Legal Committee expanded as provided for in paragraph 4, on condition that at least one half of the States Parties to the Convention as revised by this Protocol shall be present at the time of voting.
6. When acting on a proposal to amend the limits, the Legal Committee shall take into account the experience of incidents and, in particular, the amount of damage resulting therefrom, changes in the monetary values and the effect of the proposed amendment on the cost of insurance.
7. |
|
8. Any amendment adopted in accordance with paragraph 5 shall be notified by the Organisation to all States Parties. The amendment shall be deemed to have been accepted at the end of a period of 18 months after the date of notification, unless within that period not less than one fourth of the States that were States Parties at the time of the adoption of the amendment have communicated to the Secretary General that they do not accept the amendment, in which case the amendment is rejected and shall have no effect.
9. An amendment deemed to have been accepted in accordance with paragraph 8 shall enter into force 18 months after its acceptance.
10. All States Parties shall be bound by the amendment, unless they denounce this Protocol in accordance with Article 21, paragraphs 1 and 2 at least six months before the amendment enters into force. Such denunciation shall take effect when the amendment enters into force.
11. When an amendment has been adopted but the 18 month period for its acceptance has not yet expired, a State which becomes a State Party during that period shall be bound by the amendment if it enters into force. A State which becomes a State Party after that period shall be bound by an amendment which has been accepted in accordance with paragraph 8. In the cases referred to in this paragraph, a State becomes bound by an amendment when that amendment enters into force, or when this Protocol enters into force for that State, if later.
ANNEX TO ATHENS CONVENTION
CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE OR OTHER FINANCIAL SECURITY IN RESPECT OF LIABILITY FOR THE DEATH OF AND PERSONAL INJURY TO PASSENGERS
Issued in accordance with the provisions of Article 4bis of the Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 2002
Name of ship |
Distinctive number or letters |
IMO ship identification number |
Port of registry |
Name and full address of the principal place of business of the carrier who actually performs the carriage |
|
|
|
|
|
This is to certify that there is in force in respect of the abovenamed ship a policy of insurance or other financial security satisfying the requirements of Article 4bis of the Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 2002.
Type of security …
Duration of security …
Name and address of the insurer(s) and/or guarantor(s)
Name …
Address …
This certificate is valid until …
Issued or certified by the Government of …
(Full designation of the State)
OR
The following text should be used when a State Party avails itself of Article 4bis, paragraph 3:
The present certificate is issued under the authority of the Government of … (full designation of the State) by … (name of institution or organisation)
At …On …
(Place) (Date)
…
(Signature and title of issuing or certifying official)
Explanatory notes:
1. |
If desired, the designation of the State may include a reference to the competent public authority of the country where the Certificate is issued. |
2. |
If the total amount of security has been furnished by more than one source, the amount of each of them should be indicated. |
3. |
If security is furnished in several forms, these should be enumerated. |
4. |
The entry ‘Duration of Security’ must stipulate the date on which such security takes effect. |
5. |
The entry ‘Address’ of the insurer(s) and/or guarantor(s) must indicate the principal place of business of the insurer(s) and/or guarantor(s). If appropriate, the place of business where the insurance or other security is established shall be indicated. |
(1) Not reproduced.
(2) Not reproduced.
(3) Not reproduced.
ANNEX II
Extract From the IMO Reservation and Guidelines for Implementation of THE ATHENS Convention, adopted by the Legal Committee of the INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION on 19 October 2006
IMO RESERVATION AND GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ATHENS CONVENTION
Reservation
1. |
The Athens Convention should be ratified with the following reservation or a declaration to the same effect:
Limitation of liability of carriers, etc.
Compulsory insurance and limitation of liability of insurers
Certification
Relationship between this Reservation and the IMO Guidelines for Implementation of the Athens Convention
|
Guidelines
2. |
In the current state of the insurance market, State Parties should issue insurance certificates on the basis of one undertaking from an insurer covering war risks, and another insurer covering non war risks. Each insurer should only be liable for its part. The following rules should apply (the clauses referred to are set out in Appendix A):
|
3. |
An example of a set of insurance undertakings (Blue Cards) and an insurance certificate, all reflecting these guidelines, are included in Appendix B. |
APPENDIX A
Clauses referred to in guidelines 2.1.1, 2.1.2 and 2.2.1
Institute Radioactive Contamination, Chemical, Biological, Bio-chemical and Electromagnetic Exclusion Clause (Cl. 370, 10/11/2003)
This clause shall be paramount and shall override anything contained in this insurance inconsistent therewith
1. |
In no case shall this insurance cover loss damage liability or expense directly or indirectly caused by or contributed to by or arising from:
|
Institute Cyber Attack Exclusion Clause (Cl. 380, 10/11/03)
1. |
Subject only to clause 10.2 below, in no case shall this insurance cover loss damage liability or expense directly or indirectly caused by or contributed to by or arising from the use or operation, as a means for inflicting harm, of any computer, computer system, computer software programme, malicious code, computer virus or process or any other electronic system. |
2. |
Where this clause is endorsed on policies covering risks of war, civil war, revolution, rebellion, insurrection, or civil strife arising therefrom, or any hostile act by or against a belligerent power, or terrorism or any person acting from a political motive, Clause 10.1 shall not operate to exclude losses (which would otherwise be covered) arising from the use of any computer, computer system or computer software programme or any other electronic system in the launch and/or guidance system and/or firing mechanism of any weapon or missile. |
War Automatic Termination and Exclusion
1.1. Automatic Termination of Cover
Whether or not such notice of cancellation has been given cover hereunder shall TERMINATE AUTOMATICALLY
1.1.1. |
upon the outbreak of war (whether there be a declaration of war or not) between any of the following: United Kingdom, United States of America, France, the Russian Federation, the People's Republic of China; |
1.1.2. |
in respect of any vessel, in connection with which cover is granted hereunder, in the event of such vessel being requisitioned either for title or use. |
1.2. Five Powers War
This insurance excludes
1.2.1. |
loss damage liability or expense arising from the outbreak of war (whether there be a declaration of war or not) between any of the following: United Kingdom, United States of America, France, the Russian Federation, the People's Republic of China; |
1.2.2. |
requisition either for title or use. |
APPENDIX B
I. Examples of insurance undertakings (Blue Cards) referred to in guideline 3
Blue Card issued by War Insurer
Certificate furnished as evidence of insurance pursuant to Article 4bis of the Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 2002.
Name of Ship:
IMO Ship Identification Number:
Port of registry:
Name and Address of owner:
This is to certify that there is in force in respect of the above named ship while in the above ownership a policy of insurance satisfying the requirements of Article 4bis of the Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 2002, subject to all exceptions and limitations allowed for compulsory war insurance under the Convention and the implementation guidelines adopted by the Legal Committee of the International Maritime Organisation in October 2006, including in particular the following clauses: [Here the text of the Convention and the guidelines with appendices can be inserted to the extent desirable]
Period of insurance from: 20 February 2007
to: 20 February 2008
Provided always that the insurer may cancel this certificate by giving 30 days written notice to the above Authority whereupon the liability of the insurer hereunder shall cease as from the date of the expiry of the said period of notice but only as regards incidents arising thereafter.
Date:
This certificate has been issued by: |
War Risks, Inc [Address] |
… Signature of insurer |
As agent only for War Risks, Inc. |
Blue Card issued by Non-War Insurer
Certificate furnished as evidence of insurance pursuant to Article 4bis of the Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 2002
Name of Ship:
IMO Ship Identification Number:
Port of registry:
Name and Address of owner:
This is to certify that there is in force in respect of the above named ship while in the above ownership a policy of insurance satisfying the requirements of Article 4bis of the Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 2002, subject to all exceptions and limitations allowed for non-war insurers under the Convention and the implementation guidelines adopted by the Legal Committee of the International Maritime Organisation in October 2006, including in particular the following clauses: [Here the text of the Convention and the guidelines with appendices can be inserted to the extent desirable]
Period of insurance from: 20 February 2007
to: 20 February 2008
Provided always that the insurer may cancel this certificate by giving three months written notice to the above Authority whereupon the liability of the insurer hereunder shall cease as from the date of the expiry of the said period of notice but only as regards incidents arising thereafter.
Date:
This certificate has been issued by: |
PANDI P&I [Address] |
… Signature of insurer |
As agent only for PANDI P&I |
II. Model of certificate of insurance referred to in guideline 3
CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE OR OTHER FINANCIAL SECURITY IN RESPECT OF LIABILITY FOR THE DEATH OF AND PERSONAL INJURY TO PASSENGERS
Issued in accordance with the provisions of Article 4bis of the Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 2002
Name of ship |
Distinctive number or letters |
IMO ship identification number |
Port of registry |
Name and full address of the principal place of business of the carrier who actually performs the carriage |
|
|
|
|
|
This is to certify that there is in force in respect of the abovenamed ship a policy of insurance or other financial security satisfying the requirements of Article 4bis of the Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 2002.
Type of Security …
Duration of Security …
Name and address of the insurer(s) and/or guarantor(s)
The insurance cover hereby certified is split in one war insurance part and one non-war insurance part, pursuant to the implementation guidelines adopted by the Legal Committee of the International Maritime Organisation in October 2006. Each of these parts of the insurance cover is subject to all exceptions and limitations allowed under the Convention and the implementation guidelines. The insurers are not jointly and severally liable. The insurers are:
For war risks: War Risks, Inc., [address]
For non-war risks: Pandi P&I, [address]
This certificate is valid until …
Issued or certified by the Government of …
(Full designation of the State)
OR
The following text should be used when a State Party avails itself of Article 4bis, paragraph 3:
The present certificate is issued under the authority of the Government of … (full designation of the State) by … (name of institution or organisation)
At … |
On … |
(Place) |
(Date) |
…
(Signature and title of issuing or certifying official)
Explanatory notes:
1. |
If desired, the designation of the State may include a reference to the competent public authority of the country where the certificate is issued. |
2. |
If the total amount of security has been furnished by more than one source, the amount of each of them should be indicated. |
3. |
If security is furnished in several forms, these should be enumerated. |
4. |
The entry ‘Duration of Security’ must stipulate the date on which such security takes effect. |
5. |
The entry ‘Address’ of the insurer(s) and/or guarantor(s) must indicate the principal place of business of the insurer(s) and/or guarantor(s). If appropriate, the place of business where the insurance or other security is established shall be indicated. |
DIRECTIVES
28.5.2009 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
L 131/47 |
DIRECTIVE 2009/15/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
of 23 April 2009
on common rules and standards for ship inspection and survey organisations and for the relevant activities of maritime administrations
(Recast)
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 80(2) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (2),
Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty, in the light of the Joint text approved by the Conciliation Committee on 3 February 2009 (3),
Whereas:
(1) |
Council Directive 94/57/EC of 22 November 1994 on common rules and standards for ship inspection and survey organisations and for the relevant activities of maritime administrations (4) has been substantially amended several times. Since further amendments are to be made, it should be recast in the interests of clarity. |
(2) |
In view of the nature of the provisions of Directive 94/57/EC it seems appropriate that its provisions be recast in two different Community legal instruments, namely a Directive and a Regulation. |
(3) |
In its Resolution of 8 June 1993 on a common policy on safe seas, the Council set the objective of removing all substandard vessels from Community waters and gave priority to Community action designed to secure the effective and uniform implementation of international rules by drawing up common standards for classification societies. |
(4) |
Safety and pollution prevention at sea may be effectively enhanced by strictly applying international conventions, codes and resolutions while furthering the objective of freedom to provide services. |
(5) |
The control of compliance of ships with the uniform international standards for safety and prevention of pollution of the seas is the responsibility of flag and port States. |
(6) |
Member States are responsible for the issuing of international certificates for safety and the prevention of pollution provided for under conventions such as the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea of 1 November 1974 (SOLAS 74), the International Convention on Load Lines of 5 April 1966 and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships of 2 November 1973 (Marpol), and for the implementation of those conventions. |
(7) |
In compliance with such conventions all Member States may authorise to a varying extent recognised organisations for the certification of such compliance and may delegate the issue of the relevant certificates for safety and the prevention of pollution. |
(8) |
Worldwide a large number of the existing organisations recognised by International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Contracting Parties do not ensure either adequate implementation of the rules or sufficient reliability when acting on behalf of national administrations as they do not have reliable and adequate structures and experience to enable them to carry out their duties in a highly professional manner. |
(9) |
In accordance with SOLAS 74 Chapter II-1, Part A-1, Regulation 3-1, Member States are responsible for ensuring that ships flying their flag are designed, constructed and maintained in compliance with the structural, mechanical and electrical requirements of organisations, recognised by administrations. These organisations therefore produce and implement rules for the design, construction, maintenance and inspection of ships and they are responsible for inspecting ships on behalf of the flag States and certifying that those ships meet the requirements of the international conventions for the issue of the relevant certificates. To enable them to carry out that duty in a satisfactory manner they need to have strict independence, highly specialised technical competence and rigorous quality management. |
(10) |
Ship inspection and survey organisations play an important role in Community legislation concerning maritime safety. |
(11) |
Ship inspection and survey organisations should be able to offer their services throughout the Community and compete with each other while providing equal levels of safety and of environmental protection. The necessary professional standards for their activities should therefore be uniformly established and applied across the Community. |
(12) |
The issue of the cargo ship safety radio certificate may be entrusted to private bodies having sufficient expertise and qualified personnel. |
(13) |
A Member State may restrict the number of recognised organisations it authorises in accordance with its needs, based on objective and transparent grounds, subject to control exercised by the Commission in accordance with a committee procedure. |
(14) |
This Directive should ensure freedom to provide services in the Community; accordingly the Community should agree with those third countries where some of the recognised organisations are located, to ensure equal treatment for the recognised organisations located in the Community. |
(15) |
A tight involvement of the national administrations in ship surveys and in the issue of the related certificates is necessary to ensure full compliance with the international safety rules even if the Member States rely upon recognised organisations, which are not part of their administration for carrying out statutory duties. It is appropriate, therefore, to establish a close working relationship between the administrations and the recognised organisations authorised by them, which may require that the recognised organisations have a local representation on the territory of the Member State on behalf of which they perform their duties. |
(16) |
When a recognised organisation, its inspectors, or its technical staff issue the relevant certificates on behalf of the administration, Member States should consider enabling them, as regards these delegated activities, to be subject to proportionate legal safeguards and judicial protection, including the exercise of appropriate rights of defence, apart from immunity, which is a prerogative that can only be invoked by Member States as an inseparable right of sovereignty and therefore that cannot be delegated. |
(17) |
Divergence in terms of financial liability regimes among the recognised organisations working on behalf of the Member States would impede the proper implementation of this Directive. In order to contribute to solving this problem it is appropriate to bring about a degree of harmonisation at Community level of the liability arising out of any marine casualty caused by a recognised organisation, as decided by a court of law, including settlement of a dispute through arbitration procedures. |
(18) |
The measures necessary for the implementation of this Directive should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (5). |
(19) |
In particular the Commission should be empowered to amend this Directive in order to incorporate subsequent amendments to the international conventions, protocols, codes and resolutions related thereto. Since those measures are of general scope and are designed to amend non-essential elements of this Directive, inter alia by supplementing it with new non-essential elements, they must be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny provided for in Article 5a of Decision 1999/468/EC. |
(20) |
Member States should nevertheless be left with the possibility of suspending or withdrawing their authorisation of a recognised organisation while informing the Commission and the other Member States of their decisions and giving substantiated reasons therefor. |
(21) |
Member States should periodically assess the performance of the recognised organisations working on their behalf and provide the Commission and all the other Member States with precise information related to such performance. |
(22) |
As port authorities, Member States are required to enhance safety and prevention of pollution in Community waters through priority inspection of ships carrying certificates of organisations which do not fulfil the common criteria, thereby ensuring that ships flying the flag of a third State do not receive more favourable treatment. |
(23) |
At present there are no uniform international standards to which all ships must conform either at the building stage or during their entire lifetime, as regards hull, machinery and electrical and control installations. Such standards may be fixed according to the rules of recognised organisations or to equivalent standards to be decided by the national administrations in accordance with the procedure laid down in Directive 98/34/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 June 1998 laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations and of rules on Information Society services (6). |
(24) |
Since the objective of this Directive, namely to establish measures to be followed by the Member States in their relationship with organisations entrusted with the inspection, survey and certification of ships, operating in the Community, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States and can therefore, by reason of the scale of the action, be better achieved at Community level, the Community may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Directive does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that objective. |
(25) |
The obligation to transpose this Directive into national law should be confined to those provisions which represent a substantive change as compared with the Directive 94/57/EC. The obligation to transpose the provisions which are unchanged arises under that Directive. |
(26) |
This Directive should be without prejudice to the obligations of the Member States relating to the time limits for transposition into national law of the Directives set out in Annex I, Part B. |
(27) |
In accordance with point 34 of the Interinstitutional Agreement on better law-making (7), Member States are encouraged to draw up, for themselves and in the interest of the Community, their own tables, illustrating, as far as possible, the correlation between this Directive and the transposition measures, and to make them public. |
(28) |
Measures to be followed by ship inspection and survey organisations are laid down in Regulation (EC) No 391/2009 of the European Parliament and the Council of 23 April 2009 on common rules and standards for ship inspection and survey organisations (recast) (8), |
HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
Article 1
This Directive establishes measures to be followed by the Member States in their relationship with organisations entrusted with the inspection, survey and certification of ships for compliance with the international conventions on safety at sea and prevention of marine pollution, while furthering the objective of freedom to provide services. This includes the development and implementation of safety requirements for hull, machinery and electrical and control installations of ships falling under the scope of the international conventions.
Article 2
For the purpose of this Directive the following definitions shall apply:
(a) |
‘ship’ means a ship falling within the scope of the international conventions; |
(b) |
‘ship flying the flag of a Member State’ means a ship registered in and flying the flag of a Member State in accordance with its legislation. Ships not corresponding to this definition are assimilated to ships flying the flag of a third country; |
(c) |
‘inspections and surveys’ means inspections and surveys that are mandatory under the international conventions; |
(d) |
‘international conventions’ means the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea of 1 November 1974, (SOLAS 74) with the exception of chapter XI-2 of the Annex thereto, the International Convention on Load Lines of 5 April 1966 and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships of 2 November 1973 (Marpol), together with the protocols and amendments thereto, and the related codes of mandatory status in all Member States, in their up-to-date version; |
(e) |
‘organisation’ means a legal entity, its subsidiaries and any other entities under its control, which jointly or separately carry out tasks falling under the scope of this Directive; |
(f) |
‘control’means, for the purpose of point (e), rights, contracts or any other means, in law or in fact, which, either separately or in combination confer the possibility of exercising decisive influence on a legal entity or enable that entity to carry out tasks falling under the scope of this Directive; |
(g) |
‘recognised organisation’ means an organisation recognised in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 391/2009; |
(h) |
‘authorisation’ means an act whereby a Member State grants an authorisation or delegates powers to a recognised organisation; |
(i) |
‘statutory certificate’ means a certificate issued by or on behalf of a flag State in accordance with the international conventions; |
(j) |
‘rules and procedures’ means a recognised organisation’s requirements for the design, construction, equipment, maintenance and survey of ships; |
(k) |
‘class certificate’ means a document issued by a recognised organisation certifying the fitness of a ship for a particular use or service in accordance with the rules and procedures laid down and made public by that recognised organisation; |
(l) |
‘cargo ship safety radio certificate’ means the certificate introduced by the 1988 Protocol amending SOLAS, adopted by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). |
Article 3
1. In assuming their responsibilities and obligations under the international conventions, Member States shall ensure that their competent administrations can ensure appropriate enforcement of the provisions thereof, in particular with regard to the inspection and survey of ships and the issue of statutory certificates and exemption certificates as provided for by the international conventions. Member States shall act in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Annex and the Appendix to IMO Resolution A.847(20) on guidelines to assist flag States in the implementation of IMO instruments.
2. Where for the purpose of paragraph 1 a Member State decides with respect to ships flying its flag:
(i) |
to authorise organisations to undertake fully or in part inspections and surveys related to statutory certificates including those for the assessment of compliance with the rules referred to in Article 11(2) and, where appropriate, to issue or renew the related certificates; or |
(ii) |
to rely upon organisations to undertake fully or in part the inspections and surveys referred to in point (i); |
it shall entrust these duties only to recognised organisations.
The competent administration shall in all cases approve the first issue of the exemption certificates.
However, for the cargo ship safety radio certificate these duties may be entrusted to a private body recognised by a competent administration and having sufficient expertise and qualified personnel to carry out specified safety assessment work on radio-communication on its behalf.
3. This Article does not concern the certification of specific items of marine equipment.
Article 4
1. In applying Article 3(2), Member States shall in principle not refuse to authorise any of the recognised organisations to undertake such functions, subject to the provisions of paragraph 2 of this Article and Articles 5 and 9. However, they may restrict the number of organisations they authorise in accordance with their needs provided there are transparent and objective grounds for so doing.
At the request of a Member State, the Commission shall, in accordance with the regulatory procedure referred to in Article 6(2), adopt appropriate measures to ensure the correct application of the first subparagraph of this paragraph as regards refusal of authorisation and of Article 8 as regards those cases where authorisation is suspended or withdrawn.
2. In order for a Member State to accept that a recognised organisation located in a third State is to carry out fully or in part the duties mentioned in Article 3 it may request the third State in question to grant reciprocal treatment to those recognised organisations which are located in the Community.
In addition, the Community may request the third State where a recognised organisation is located to grant reciprocal treatment to those recognised organisations which are located in the Community.
Article 5
1. Member States which take a decision as described in Article 3(2) shall set out a ‘working relationship’ between their competent administration and the organisations acting on their behalf.
2. The working relationship shall be regulated by a formalised written and non-discriminatory agreement or equivalent legal arrangements setting out the specific duties and functions assumed by the organisations and including at least:
(a) |
the provisions set out in Appendix II of IMO Resolution A.739(18) on guidelines for the authorisation of organisations acting on behalf of the administration, while drawing inspiration from the Annex, Appendices and Attachment to IMO MSC/Circular 710 and MEPC/Circular 307 on a model agreement for the authorisation of recognised organisations acting on behalf of the administration; |
(b) |
the following provisions concerning financial liability:
|
(c) |
provisions for a periodical audit by the administration or by an impartial external body appointed by the administration into the duties the organisations are undertaking on its behalf, as referred to in Article 9(1); |
(d) |
the possibility for random and detailed inspections of ships; |
(e) |
provisions for compulsory reporting of essential information about their classed fleet, and changes, suspensions and withdrawals of class. |
3. The agreement or equivalent legal arrangement may require the recognised organisation to have a local representation on the territory of the Member State on behalf of which it performs the duties referred to in Article 3. A local representation with legal personality under the law of the Member State and subject to the jurisdiction of its national courts may satisfy such a requirement.
4. Each Member State shall provide the Commission with precise information on the working relationship established in accordance with this Article. The Commission shall subsequently inform the other Member States thereof.
Article 6
1. The Commission shall be assisted by the Committee on Safe Seas and the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (COSS) established by Regulation (EC) No 2099/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council (9).
2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 5 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.
The period laid down in Article 5(6) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at three months.
3. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5a(1) to (4) and Article 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.
Article 7
1. This Directive may, without broadening its scope, be amended in order to:
(a) |
incorporate, for the purposes of this Directive, subsequent amendments to the international conventions, protocols, codes and resolutions related thereto referred to in Articles 2(d), 3(1) and 5(2), which have entered into force; |
(b) |
alter the amounts specified in points (ii) and (iii) of Article 5(2)(b). |
These measures designed to amend non-essential elements of this Directive shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 6(3).
2. Following the adoption of new instruments or protocols to the international conventions referred to in Article 2(d), the Council, acting on a proposal from the Commission, shall decide, taking into account the Member States’ parliamentary procedures as well as the relevant procedures within the IMO, on the detailed arrangements for ratifying those new instruments or protocols, while ensuring that they are applied uniformly and simultaneously in the Member States.
The amendments to the international instruments referred to in Article 2(d) and Article 5 may be excluded from the scope of this Directive, pursuant to Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 2099/2002.
Article 8
Notwithstanding the minimum criteria specified in the Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 391/2009, where a Member State considers that a recognised organisation can no longer be authorised to carry out on its behalf the tasks specified in Article 3 it may suspend or withdraw such authorisation. In such case the Member State shall inform the Commission and the other Member States of its decision without delay and shall give substantiated reasons therefor.
Article 9
1. Each Member State shall satisfy itself that the recognised organisations acting on its behalf for the purpose of Article 3(2) effectively carry out the functions referred to in that Article to the satisfaction of its competent administration.
2. In order to carry out the task referred to in paragraph 1, each Member State shall, at least on a biennial basis, monitor every recognised organisation acting on its behalf and shall provide the other Member States and the Commission with a report on the results of such monitoring activities at the latest by 31 March of the year following the year in which the monitoring was carried out.
Article 10
In exercising their inspection rights and obligations as port States, Member States shall report to the Commission and to other Member States, and inform the flag State concerned, if they find that valid statutory certificates have been issued by recognised organisations acting on behalf of a flag State to a ship which does not fulfil the relevant requirements of the international conventions, or in the event of any failure of a ship carrying a valid class certificate and relating to items covered by that certificate. Only cases of ships representing a serious threat to safety and the environment or showing evidence of particularly negligent behaviour of the recognised organisations shall be reported for the purposes of this Article. The recognised organisation concerned shall be advised of the case at the time of the initial inspection so that it can take appropriate follow-up action immediately.
Article 11
1. Each Member State shall ensure that ships flying its flag are designed, constructed, equipped and maintained in accordance with the rules and procedures relating to hull, machinery and electrical and control installation requirements of a recognised organisation.
2. A Member State may decide to use rules it considers equivalent to the rules and procedures of a recognised organisation only on the proviso that it immediately notifies them to the Commission in conformity with the procedure under Directive 98/34/EC and to the other Member States and they are not objected to by another Member State or the Commission and are held, through the regulatory procedure referred to in Article 6(2) of this Directive, not to be equivalent.
3. Member States shall cooperate with the recognised organisations they authorise in the development of the rules and procedures of those organisations. They shall confer with the recognised organisations with a view to achieving consistent interpretation of the international conventions.
Article 12
The Commission shall, on a biennial basis, inform the European Parliament and the Council of progress in the implementation of this Directive in the Member States.
Article 13
1. Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by 17 June 2011. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof.
When they are adopted by Member States, these measures shall contain a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such reference on the occasion of their official publication. They shall also include a statement that references in existing laws, regulations and administrative provisions to the directives repealed by this Directive shall be construed as references to this Directive. The methods of making such references shall be laid down by Member States.
2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the text of the main provisions of national law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive.
Article 14
Directive 94/57/EC, as amended by the Directives listed in Annex I, Part A, shall be repealed with effect from 17 June 2009, without prejudice to the obligations of the Member States relating to the time limits for transposition into national law of the Directives set out in Annex I, Part B.
References to the repealed Directives shall be construed as references to this Directive and shall be read in accordance with the correlation table in Annex II.
Article 15
This Directive shall enter into force on the 20th day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Article 16
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Strasbourg, 23 April 2009.
For the European Parliament
The President
H.-G. PÖTTERING
For the Council
The President
P. NEČAS
(1) OJ C 318, 23.12.2006, p. 195.
(2) OJ C 229, 22.9.2006, p. 38.
(3) Opinion of the European Parliament of 25 April 2007 (OJ C 74 E, 20.3.2008, p. 633), Council Common Position of 6 June 2008 (OJ C 184 E, 22.7.2008, p. 11), Position of the European Parliament of 24 September 2008 (not yet published in the Official Journal), Council Decision of 26 February 2009 and Legislative Resolution of the European Parliament of 11 March 2009 (not yet published in the Official Journal).
(4) OJ L 319, 12.12.1994, p. 20.
(5) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.
(6) OJ L 204, 21.7.1998, p. 37.
(7) OJ C 321, 31.12.2003, p. 1.
(8) See page 11 of this Official Journal.
(9) OJ L 324, 29.11.2002, p. 1.
ANNEX I
PART A
Repealed Directive with its successive amendments
(referred to in Article 14)
Council Directive 94/57/EC |
|
Commission Directive 97/58/EC |
|
Directive 2001/105/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council |
|
Directive 2002/84/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council |
PART B
List of time limits for transposition into national law
(referred to in Article 14)
Directive |
Time limit for transposition |
94/57/EC |
31 December 1995 |
97/58/EC |
30 September 1998 |
2001/105/EC |
22 July 2003 |
2002/84/EC |
23 November 2003 |
ANNEX II
Correlation table
Directive 94/57/EC |
This Directive |
Regulation (EC) No 391/2009 |
Article 1 |
Article 1 |
Article 1 |
Article 2(a) |
Article 2(a) |
Article 2(a) |
Article 2(b) |
Article 2(b) |
— |
Article 2(c) |
Article 2(c) |
— |
Article 2(d) |
Article 2(d) |
Article 2(b) |
Article 2(e) |
Article 2(e) |
Article 2(c) |
— |
Article 2(f) |
Article 2(d) |
Article 2(f) |
Article 2(g) |
Article 2(e) |
Article 2(g) |
Article 2(h) |
Article 2(f) |
Article 2(h) |
Article 2(i) |
Article 2(g) |
Article 2(i) |
Article 2(k) |
Article 2(i) |
— |
Article 2(j) |
Article 2(h) |
Article 2(j) |
Article 2(l) |
— |
Article 2(k) |
— |
Article 2(j) |
Article 3 |
Article 3 |
— |
Article 4(1) first phrase |
— |
Article 3(1) |
Article 4(1) second phrase |
— |
Article 3(2) |
Article 4(1) third phrase |
— |
— |
Article 4(1) fourth phrase |
— |
Article 4(1) |
— |
— |
Article 3(3) |
— |
— |
Article 4(2), (3), (4) |
— |
— |
Article 5 |
— |
— |
Article 6 |
— |
— |
Article 7 |
Article 5(1) |
Article 4(1) |
— |
Article 5(3) |
Article 4(2) |
— |
Article 6(1), (2), (3), (4) |
Article 5 (1), (2), (3), (4) |
— |
Article 6(5) |
— |
— |
Article 7 |
Article 6 |
Article 12 |
Article 8(1) first indent |
Article 7(1), point (a) of first subparagraph |
— |
Article 8(1) second indent |
— |
Article 13(1) |
Article 8(1) third indent |
Article 7(1), point (b) of first subparagraph |
— |
— |
Article 7(1) second subparagraph |
Article 13(1) (second subparagraph) |
Article 8(2) |
Article 7(2) |
— |
Article 8(2) second subparagraph |
— |
Article 13(2) |
Article 9(1) |
— |
— |
Article 9(2) |
— |
— |
Article 10(1) introductory wording |
Article 8 |
— |
Article 10(1)(a), (b), (c), (2), (3), (4) |
— |
— |
Article 11(1),(2) |
Article 9(1), (2) |
— |
Article 11(3), (4) |
— |
Article 8(1), (2) |
Article 12 |
Article 10 |
— |
Article 13 |
— |
— |
Article 14 |
Article 11(1), (2) |
— |
— |
Article 11(3) |
— |
— |
Article 12 |
— |
— |
— |
Article 9 |
Article 15(1) |
— |
— |
— |
— |
Article 10(1), (2) |
Article 15(2) |
— |
Article 10(3) |
Article 15(3) |
— |
Article 10(4) |
Article 15(4) |
— |
Article 10(5) |
Article 15(5) |
— |
Article 10(6) first, second, third, fifth subparagraphs |
— |
|
Article 10(6) fourth subparagraph |
Article 16 |
Article 13 |
— |
Article 17 |
Article 16 |
— |
— |
Article 14 |
— |
— |
Article 15 |
— |
— |
— |
Article 11 |
— |
— |
Article 14 |
— |
— |
Article 15 |
— |
— |
Article 16 |
— |
— |
Article 17 |
— |
— |
Article 18 |
— |
— |
Article 19 |
Annex |
— |
Annex I |
— |
Annex I |
— |
— |
Annex II |
Annex II |
28.5.2009 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
L 131/57 |
DIRECTIVE 2009/16/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
of 23 April 2009
on port State control
(Recast)
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 80(2) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (2),
Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (3), in the light of the joint text approved by the Conciliation Committee on 3 February 2009,
Whereas:
(1) |
Council Directive 95/21/EC of 19 June 1995 on port State control of shipping (4) has been substantially amended several times. Since further amendments are to be made, it should be recast in the interests of clarity. |
(2) |
The Community is seriously concerned about shipping casualties and pollution of the seas and coastlines of Member States. |
(3) |
The Community is equally concerned about on-board living and working conditions. |
(4) |
Safety, pollution prevention and on-board living and working conditions may be effectively enhanced through a drastic reduction of substandard ships from Community waters, by strictly applying Conventions, international codes and resolutions. |
(5) |
To this end, in accordance with Council Decision 2007/431/EC of 7 June 2007 authorising Member States to ratify, in the interests of the European Community, the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, of the International Labour Organisation (5), Member States should make efforts to ratify, for the parts falling under Community competence, that Convention as soon as possible, preferably before 31 December 2010. |
(6) |
Responsibility for monitoring the compliance of ships with the international standards for safety, pollution prevention and on-board living and working conditions lies primarily with the flag State. Relying, as appropriate, on recognised organisations, the flag State fully guarantees the completeness and efficiency of the inspections and surveys undertaken to issue the relevant certificates. Responsibility for maintenance of the condition of the ship and its equipment after survey to comply with the requirements of Conventions applicable to the ship lies with the ship company. However, there has been a serious failure on the part of a number of flag States to implement and enforce international standards. Henceforth, as a second line of defence against substandard shipping, the monitoring of compliance with the international standards for safety, pollution prevention and on-board living and working conditions should also be ensured by the port State, while recognising that port State control inspection is not a survey and the relevant inspection forms are not seaworthiness certificates. |
(7) |
A harmonised approach to the effective enforcement of these international standards by Member States in respect of ships sailing in the waters under their jurisdiction and using their ports should avoid distortions of competition. |
(8) |
The shipping industry is vulnerable to acts of terrorism. Transport security measures should be effectively implemented and Member States should vigorously monitor compliance with security rules by carrying out security checks. |
(9) |
Advantage should be taken of the experience gained during the operation of the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Paris MOU), signed in Paris on 26 January 1982. |
(10) |
The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) established by Regulation (EC) No 1406/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council (6), should provide the necessary support to ensure the convergent and effective implementation of the port State control system. EMSA should in particular contribute to the development and implementation of the inspection database set up in accordance with this Directive and of a harmonised Community scheme for the training and assessment of competences of port State control inspectors by Member States. |
(11) |
An efficient port State control system should seek to ensure that all ships calling at ports and anchorages within the Community are regularly inspected. Inspection should concentrate on substandard ships, while quality ships, meaning those which have satisfactory inspection records or which fly the flag of a State complying with the Voluntary International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Member State Audit Scheme, should be rewarded by undergoing less frequent inspections. In particular to this effect, Member States should give overall priority to ships due for inspections with a high risk profile. |
(12) |
Such new inspection arrangements should be incorporated into the Community port State control system as soon as its various aspects have been defined and on the basis of an inspection-sharing scheme whereby each Member State contributes fairly to the achievement of the Community objective of a comprehensive inspection scheme and the volume of inspections is shared in an equitable manner among the Member States. This inspection-sharing scheme should be revised taking into account the experience gained with the new port State control system with a view to improving its effectiveness. Moreover, Member States should recruit and retain the requisite number of staff, including qualified inspectors, taking into account the volume and characteristics of shipping traffic at each port. |
(13) |
The inspection system set up by this Directive takes into account the work carried under the Paris MOU. Since any developments arising from the Paris MOU should be agreed at Community level before being made applicable within the EU, close coordination should be established and maintained between the Community and the Paris MOU in order to facilitate as much convergence as possible. |
(14) |
The Commission should manage and update the inspection database, in close collaboration with the Paris MOU. The inspection database should incorporate inspection data of Member States and all signatories to the Paris MOU. Until the Community maritime information system, SafeSeaNet, is fully operational and allows for an automatic record of the data concerning ships’ calls in the inspection database, Member States should provide the Commission with the information needed to ensure a proper monitoring of the application of this Directive, in particular concerning the movements of ships. On the basis of the inspection data provided by Member States, the Commission should retrieve from the inspection database data on the risk profile of ships, on ships due for inspections and on the movement of ships and should calculate the inspection commitments for each Member State. The inspection database should also be capable of interfacing with other Community maritime safety databases. |
(15) |
Member States should endeavour to review the method of drawing the white, grey and black list of flag States in the framework of the Paris MOU, in order to ensure its fairness, in particular with respect to the way it treats flag States with small fleets. |
(16) |
The rules and procedures for port State control inspections, including criteria for the detention of ships, should be harmonised to ensure consistent effectiveness in all ports, which would also drastically reduce the selective use of certain ports of destination to avoid the net of proper control. |
(17) |
Periodic and additional inspections should include an examination of pre-identified areas for each ship, which will vary according to the type of ship, the type of inspection and the findings of previous port State control inspections. The inspection database should indicate the elements to identify the risk areas to be checked at each inspection. |
(18) |
Certain categories of ships present a major accident or pollution hazard when they reach a certain age and should therefore be subject to an expanded inspection. The details of such expanded inspection should be laid down. |
(19) |
Under the inspection system set up by this Directive, the intervals between periodic inspections on ships depend on their risk profile that is determined by certain generic and historical parameters. For high risk ships this interval should not exceed six months. |
(20) |
In order to provide the competent port State control authorities with information on ships in ports or anchorages, port authorities or bodies or the authorities or bodies designated for that purpose should forward notifications on arrivals of ships, on receipt to the extent possible. |
(21) |
Some ships pose a manifest risk to maritime safety and the marine environment because of their poor condition, flag performance and history. It is therefore legitimate for the Community to dissuade those ships from entering the ports and anchorages of Member States. The refusal of access should be proportionate and could result in a permanent refusal of access, if the operator of the ship persistently fails to take corrective action in spite of several refusals of access and detentions in ports and anchorages within the Community. Any third refusal of access can only be lifted if a number of conditions designed to ensure that the ship concerned can be operated safely in Community waters, in particular relating to the flag State of the ship and the managing company, are fulfilled. Otherwise, the ship should be permanently refused access to ports and anchorages of the Member States. In any case, any subsequent detention of the ship concerned should lead to a permanent refusal of access to ports and anchorages of the Member States. In the interests of transparency, the list of ships refused access to ports and anchorages within the Community should be made public. |
(22) |
With a view to reducing the burden placed on certain administrations and companies by repetitive inspections, surveys under Council Directive 1999/35/EC of 29 April 1999 on a system of mandatory surveys for the safe operation of regular ro-ro ferry and high-speed passenger craft services (7), carried out on ro-ro ferries or high-speed passenger craft by a host State which is not the flag State of the vessel, and which include at least all the items of an expanded inspection, should be taken into account when calculating the risk profile of a ship, the intervals between inspections and the fulfilment of the inspection commitment of each Member State. In addition, the Commission should examine whether it is appropriate that Directive 1999/35/EC be amended in the future with a view of enhancing the level of safety required for the operation of ro-ro ferries and high-speed passenger craft to and from ports of Member States. |
(23) |
Non-compliance with the provisions of the relevant Conventions should be rectified. Ships which need to be the subject of corrective action should, where the observed deficiencies are clearly hazardous to safety, health or the environment, be detained until the shortcomings are rectified. |
(24) |
A right of appeal against detention orders by the competent authorities should be made available, in order to prevent unreasonable decisions which may cause undue detention and delay. Member States should cooperate in order to ensure that appeals are dealt with in a reasonable time in accordance with their national legislation. |
(25) |
Authorities and inspectors involved in port State control activities should have no conflict of interests with the port of inspection or with the ships inspected, or of related interests. Inspectors should be adequately qualified and receive appropriate training to maintain and improve their competence in the conduct of inspections. Member States should cooperate in developing and promoting a harmonised Community scheme for the training and assessment of competences of inspectors. |
(26) |
Pilots and port authorities or bodies should be enabled to provide useful information on apparent anomalies found on board ships. |
(27) |
Complaints from persons with a legitimate interest regarding on-board living and working conditions should be investigated. Any person lodging a complaint should be informed of the follow-up action taken with regard to that complaint. |
(28) |
Cooperation between the competent authorities of Member States and other authorities or organisations is necessary to ensure an effective follow-up with regard to ships with deficiencies, which have been permitted to proceed, and for the exchange of information about ships in port. |
(29) |
Since the inspection database is an essential part of port State control, Member States should ensure that it is updated in the light of Community requirements. |
(30) |
Publication of information concerning ships and their operators or companies which do not comply with international standards on safety, health and protection of the marine environment, taking account of the companies’ fleet size, may be an effective deterrent discouraging shippers from using such ships and an incentive to their owners to take corrective action. With regard to the information to be made available, the Commission should establish a close collaboration with the Paris MOU and take account of any information published in order to avoid unnecessary duplication. Member States should have to provide the relevant information only once. |
(31) |
All costs of inspecting, which warrant detention of ships, and those incurred in lifting a refusal of access, should be borne by the owner or the operator. |
(32) |
The measures necessary for the implementation of this Directive should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (8). |
(33) |
In particular, the Commission should be empowered to amend this Directive in order to apply subsequent amendments to Conventions, international codes and resolutions related thereto and to establish the rules of implementation for the provisions of Articles 8 and 10. Since those measures are of general scope and are designed to amend non-essential elements of this Directive, inter alia, by supplementing it with new non-essential elements, they must be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny provided for in Article 5a of Decision 1999/468/EC. |
(34) |
Since the objectives of this Directive, namely to reduce substandard shipping in waters under Member States’ jurisdiction through improvement of the Community’s inspection system for seagoing ships and the development of the means of taking preventive action in the field of pollution of the seas, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States and can, therefore, by reason of its scale and effects, be better achieved at Community level, the Community may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Directive does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives. |
(35) |
The obligation to transpose this Directive into national law should be confined to those provisions which represent a substantive change as compared with Directive 95/21/EC. The obligation to transpose the provisions which are unchanged arises under that Directive. |
(36) |
This Directive should be without prejudice to the obligations of Member States relating to the time limits for transposition into national law of the Directives set out in Annex XV, Part B. |
(37) |
The port State control system established in accordance with this Directive should be implemented on the same date in all Member States. In this context, the Commission should ensure that appropriate preparatory measures are taken, including the testing of the inspection database and the provision of training to inspectors. |
(38) |
In accordance with point 34 of the Interinstitutional Agreement on better law-making (9), Member States are encouraged to draw up, for themselves and in the interests of the Community, their own tables illustrating, as far as possible, the correlation between this Directive and the transposition measures, and to make them public. |
(39) |
In order not to impose a disproportionate administrative burden on landlocked Member States, a de minimis rule should allow such Member States to derogate from the provisions of this Directive, which means that such Member States, as long as they meet certain criteria, are not obliged to transpose this Directive. |
(40) |
In order to take into account the fact that the French overseas departments belong to a different geographical area, are to a large extent Parties to regional port State control memoranda other than the Paris MOU and have very limited traffic flows with mainland Europe, the Member State concerned should be allowed to exclude those ports from the port State control system applied within the Community, |
HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
Article 1
Purpose
The purpose of this Directive is to help to drastically reduce substandard shipping in the waters under the jurisdiction of Member States by:
(a) |
increasing compliance with international and relevant Community legislation on maritime safety, maritime security, protection of the marine environment and on-board living and working conditions of ships of all flags; |
(b) |
establishing common criteria for control of ships by the port State and harmonising procedures on inspection and detention, building upon the expertise and experience under the Paris MOU; |
(c) |
implementing within the Community a port State control system based on the inspections performed within the Community and the Paris MOU region, aiming at the inspection of all ships with a frequency depending on their risk profile, with ships posing a higher risk being subject to a more detailed inspection carried out at more frequent intervals. |
Article 2
Definitions
For the purposes of this Directive the following definitions shall apply:
1. |
‘Conventions’ means the following Conventions, with the Protocols and amendments thereto, and related codes of mandatory status, in their up-to-date version:
|
2. |
‘Paris MOU’ means the Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control, signed in Paris on 26 January 1982, in its up-to-date version. |
3. |
‘Framework and procedures for the Voluntary IMO Member State Audit Scheme’ means IMO Assembly Resolution A.974(24). |
4. |
‘Paris MOU region’ means the geographical area in which the signatories to the Paris MOU conduct inspections in the context of the Paris MOU. |
5. |
‘Ship’ means any seagoing vessel to which one or more of the Conventions apply, flying a flag other than that of the port State. |
6. |
‘Ship/port interface’ means the interactions that occur when a ship is directly and immediately affected by actions involving the movement of persons or goods or the provision of port services to or from the ship. |
7. |
‘Ship at anchorage’ means a ship in a port or another area within the jurisdiction of a port, but not at berth, carrying out a ship/port interface. |
8. |
‘Inspector’ means a public-sector employee or other person, duly authorised by the competent authority of a Member State to carry out port-State control inspections, and responsible to that competent authority. |
9. |
‘Competent authority’ means a maritime authority responsible for port State control in accordance with this Directive. |
10. |
‘Night time’ means any period of not less than seven hours, as defined by national law, and which must include, in any case, the period between midnight and 5.00. |
11. |
‘Initial inspection’ means a visit on board a ship by an inspector, in order to check compliance with the relevant Conventions and regulations and including at least the checks required by Article 13(1). |
12. |
‘More detailed inspection’ means an inspection where the ship, its equipment and crew as a whole or, as appropriate, parts thereof are subjected, in the circumstances specified in Article 13(3), to an in-depth examination covering the ship’s construction, equipment, manning, living and working conditions and compliance with on-board operational procedures. |
13. |
‘Expanded inspection’ means an inspection, which covers at least the items listed in Annex VII. An expanded inspection may include a more detailed inspection whenever there are clear grounds in accordance with Article 13(3). |
14. |
‘Complaint’ means any information or report submitted by any person or organisation with a legitimate interest in the safety of the ship, including an interest in safety or health hazards to its crew, on-board living and working conditions and the prevention of pollution. |
15. |
‘Detention’ means the formal prohibition for a ship to proceed to sea due to established deficiencies which, individually or together, make the ship unseaworthy. |
16. |
‘Refusal of access order’ means a decision issued to the master of a ship, to the company responsible for the ship and to the flag State notifying them that the ship will be refused access to all ports and anchorages of the Community. |
17. |
‘Stoppage of an operation’ means a formal prohibition for a ship to continue an operation due to established deficiencies which, individually or together, would render the continued operation hazardous. |
18. |
‘Company’ means the owner of the ship or any other organisation or person such as the manager, or the bareboat charterer, who has assumed the responsibility for operation of the ship from the owner of the ship and who, on assuming such responsibility, has agreed to take over all the duties and responsibilities imposed by the International Safety Management (ISM) Code. |
19. |
‘Recognised Organisation’ means a classification company or other private body, carrying out statutory tasks on behalf of a flag State administration. |
20. |
‘Statutory certificate’ means a certificate issued by or on behalf of a flag State in accordance with Conventions. |
21. |
‘Classification certificate’ means a document confirming compliance with SOLAS 74, Chapter II-1, Part A-1, Regulation 3-1. |
22. |
‘Inspection database’ means the information system contributing to the implementation of the port State control system within the Community and concerning the data related to inspections carried out in the Community and the Paris MOU region. |
Article 3
Scope
1. This Directive shall apply to any ship and its crew calling at a port or anchorage of a Member State to engage in a ship/port interface.
France may decide that the ports and anchorages covered by this paragraph do not include ports and anchorages situated in the overseas departments referred to in Article 299(2) of the Treaty.
If a Member State performs an inspection of a ship in waters within its jurisdiction, other than at a port, it shall be considered as an inspection for the purposes of this Directive.
Nothing in this Article shall affect the rights of intervention available to a Member State under the relevant Conventions.
Member States which do not have seaports and which can verify that of the total number of individual vessels calling annually over a period of the three previous years at their river ports, less than 5 % are ships covered by this Directive, may derogate from the provisions of this Directive.
Member States which do not have seaports shall communicate to the Commission at the latest on the date of transposition of the Directive the total number of vessels and the number of ships calling at their ports during the three-year period referred to above and shall inform the Commission of any subsequent change to the abovementioned figures.
2. Where the gross tonnage of a ship is less than 500, Member States shall apply those requirements of a relevant Convention which are applicable and shall, to the extent that a Convention does not apply, take such action as may be necessary to ensure that the ships concerned are not clearly hazardous to safety, health or the environment. In applying this paragraph, Member States shall be guided by Annex 1 to the Paris MOU.
3. When inspecting a ship flying the flag of a State which is not a party to a Convention, Member States shall ensure that the treatment of such ship and its crew is not more favourable than that of a ship flying the flag of a State party to that Convention.
4. Fishing vessels, warships, naval auxiliaries, wooden ships of a primitive build, government ships used for non-commercial purposes and pleasure yachts not engaged in trade shall be excluded from the scope of this Directive.
Article 4
Inspection powers
1. Member States shall take all necessary measures, in order to be legally entitled to carry out the inspections referred to in this Directive on board foreign ships, in accordance with international law.
2. Member States shall maintain appropriate competent authorities, to which the requisite number of staff, in particular qualified inspectors, for the inspection of ships is assigned, for example, through recruitment, and shall take appropriate measures to ensure that inspectors perform their duties as laid down in this Directive and in particular that they are available for carrying out the inspections required in accordance with this Directive.
Article 5
Inspection system and annual inspection commitment
1. Member States shall carry out inspections in accordance with the selection scheme described in Article 12 and the provisions in Annex I.
2. In order to comply with its annual inspection commitment, each Member State shall:
(a) |
inspect all Priority I ships, referred to in Article 12(a), calling at its ports and anchorages; and |
(b) |
carry out annually a total number of inspections of Priority I and Priority II ships, referred to in Article 12(a) and (b), corresponding at least to its share of the total number of inspections to be carried out annually within the Community and the Paris MOU region. The inspection share of each Member State shall be based on the number of individual ships calling at ports of the Member State concerned in relation to the sum of the number of individual ships calling at ports of each State within the Community and the Paris MOU region. |
3. With a view to calculating the share of the total number of inspections to be carried out annually within the Community and the Paris MOU region referred to in point (b) of paragraph 2, ships at anchorage shall not be counted unless otherwise specified by the Member State concerned.
Article 6
Modalities of compliance with the inspection commitment
A Member State which fails to carry out the inspections required in Article 5(2)(a), complies with its commitment in accordance with that provision if such missed inspections do not exceed:
(a) |
5 % of the total number of Priority I ships with a high risk profile calling at its ports and anchorages; |
(b) |
10 % of the total number of Priority I ships other than those with a high risk profile calling at its ports and anchorages. |
Notwithstanding the percentages in (a) and (b), Member States shall prioritise inspection of ships, which, according to the information provided by the inspection database, call at ports within the Community infrequently.
Notwithstanding the percentages in (a) and (b), for Priority I ships calling at anchorages, Member States shall prioritise inspection of ships with a high risk profile, which, according to the information provided by the inspection database, call at ports within the Community infrequently.
Article 7
Modalities allowing a balanced inspection share within the Community
1. A Member State in which the total number of calls of Priority I ships exceeds its inspection share referred to in Article 5(2)(b), shall be regarded as complying with such commitment, if a number of inspections on Priority I ships carried out by that Member State corresponds at least to such inspection share and if that Member State does not miss more than 30 % of the total number of Priority I ships calling at its ports and anchorages.
2. A Member State, in which the total number of calls of Priority I and Priority II ships is less than the inspection share referred to in Article 5(2)(b), shall be regarded as complying with such commitment, if that Member State carries out the inspections of Priority I ships required under Article 5(2)(a) and inspections on at least 85 % of the total number of Priority II ships calling at its ports and anchorages.
3. The Commission shall, in its review referred to in Article 35, examine in particular the impact of this Article on the inspection commitment, taking into account the expertise and the experience gained in the Community and under the Paris MOU. The review shall take into account the objective of inspecting all ships calling at ports and anchorages within the Community. If appropriate, the Commission shall propose complementary measures with a view to improving the effectiveness of the inspection system applied in the Community, and, if necessary, a new review of the impact of this Article at a later stage.
Article 8
Postponement of inspections and exceptional circumstances
1. A Member State may decide to postpone the inspection of a Priority I ship in the following circumstances:
(a) |
if the inspection may be carried out at the next call of the ship in the same Member State, provided that the ship does not call at any other port in the Community or the Paris MOU region in between and the postponement is not more than 15 days; or |
(b) |
if the inspection may be carried out in another port of call within the Community or the Paris MOU region within 15 days, provided the State in which such port of call is located has agreed in advance to perform the inspection. |
If an inspection is postponed in accordance with point (a) or (b) and recorded in the inspection database, a missed inspection shall not be counted as a missed inspection against the Member States which postponed the inspection.
Nevertheless, where an inspection of a Priority I ship is not performed, the relevant ship shall not be exempted from being inspected at the next port of call within the Community in accordance with this Directive.
2. Where an inspection is not performed on Priority I ships for operational reasons, it shall not be counted as a missed inspection, provided that the reason for missing the inspection is recorded in the inspection database and the following exceptional circumstances occur:
(a) |
in the judgement of the competent authority the conduct of the inspection would create a risk to the safety of inspectors, the ship, its crew or to the port, or to the marine environment; or |
(b) |
the ship call takes place only during night time. In this case Member States shall take the measures necessary to ensure that ships which call regularly during night time are inspected as appropriate. |
3. If an inspection is not performed on a ship at anchorage, it shall not be counted as a missed inspection if:
(a) |
the ship is inspected in another port or anchorage within the Community or the Paris MOU region in accordance with Annex I within 15 days; or |
(b) |
the ship call takes place only during night time or its duration is too short for the inspection to be carried out satisfactorily, and the reason for missing the inspection is recorded in the inspection database; or |
(c) |
in the judgement of the competent authority the conduct of the inspection would create a risk to the safety of inspectors, the ship, its crew or to the port, or to the marine environment, and the reason for missing the inspection is recorded in the inspection database. |
4. The measures designed to amend non-essential elements of this Directive, by supplementing it, relating to the rules for the implementation of this Article shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 31(3).
Article 9
Notification of arrival of ships
1. The operator, agent or master of a ship which, in accordance with Article 14, is eligible for an expanded inspection and bound for a port or anchorage of a Member State, shall notify its arrival in accordance with the provisions laid down in Annex III.
2. On receipt of the notification referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article and in Article 4 of Directive 2002/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 June 2002 establishing a Community vessel traffic monitoring and information system (10), the port authority or body or the authority or body designated for that purpose shall forward such information to the competent authority.
3. Electronic means shall be used whenever possible for any communication provided for in this Article.
4. The procedures and formats developed by Member States for the purposes of Annex III to this Directive shall comply with the relevant provisions laid down in Directive 2002/59/EC regarding ships’ notifications.
Article 10
Ship risk profile
1. All ships calling at a port or anchorage of a Member State shall, in the inspection database, be attributed a ship risk profile which determines their respective priority for inspection, the intervals between the inspections and the scope of inspections.
2. The risk profile of a ship shall be determined by a combination of generic and historical risk parameters as follows:
(a) |
Generic parameters Generic parameters shall be based on the type, age, flag, recognised organisations involved and company performance in accordance with Annex I, Part I.1 and Annex II. |
(b) |
Historical parameters Historical parameters shall be based on the number of deficiencies and detentions during a given period in accordance with Annex I, Part I.2 and Annex II. |
3. The measures designed to amend non-essential elements of this Directive, by supplementing it, relating to the rules for the implementation of this Article, in particular:
(a) |
the flag State criteria; |
(b) |
the company performance criteria; |
shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 31(3) and building upon the expertise of the Paris MOU.
Article 11
Frequency of inspections
Ships calling at ports or anchorages within the Community shall be subject to periodic inspections or to additional inspections as follows:
(a) |
Ships shall be subject to periodic inspections at predetermined intervals depending on their risk profile in accordance with Annex I, Part I. The interval between periodic inspections of ships shall increase as the risk decreases. For high risk ships, this interval shall not exceed six months. |
(b) |
Ships shall be subject to additional inspections regardless of the period since their last periodic inspection as follows:
|
Article 12
Selection of ships for inspection
The competent authority shall ensure that ships are selected for inspection on the basis of their risk profile as described in Annex I, Part I, and when overriding or unexpected factors arise in accordance with Annex I, Part II 2A and 2B.
With a view to the inspection of ships, the competent authority:
(a) |
shall select ships which are due for a mandatory inspection, referred to as ‘Priority I’ ships, in accordance with the selection scheme described in Annex I, Part II 3A; |
(b) |
may select ships which are eligible for inspection, referred to as ‘Priority II’ ships, in accordance with Annex I, Part II 3B. |
Article 13
Initial and more detailed inspections
Member States shall ensure that ships which are selected for inspection in accordance with Article 12 are subject to an initial inspection or a more detailed inspection as follows:
1. |
On each initial inspection of a ship, the competent authority shall ensure that the inspector, as a minimum:
|
2. |
When, after an inspection referred to in point 1, deficiencies to be rectified at the next port of call have been recorded in the inspection database, the competent authority of such next port may decide not to carry out the verifications referred to in point 1(a) and (c). |
3. |
A more detailed inspection shall be carried out, including further checking of compliance with on-board operational requirements, whenever there are clear grounds for believing, after the inspection referred to in point 1, that the condition of a ship or of its equipment or crew does not substantially meet the relevant requirements of a Convention. ‘Clear grounds’ shall exist when the inspector finds evidence which in his professional judgement warrants a more detailed inspection of the ship, its equipment or its crew. Examples of ‘clear grounds’ are set out in Annex V. |
Article 14
Expanded inspections
1. The following categories of ships are eligible to an expanded inspection in accordance with Annex I, Part II 3A and 3B:
— |
ships with a high risk profile, |
— |
passenger ships, oil tankers, gas or chemical tankers or bulk carriers, older than 12 years of age, |
— |
ships with a high risk profile or passenger ships, oil tankers, gas or chemical tankers or bulk carriers, older than 12 years of age, in cases of overriding or unexpected factors, |
— |
ships subject to a re-inspection following a refusal of access order issued in accordance with Article 16. |
2. The operator or master of the ship shall ensure that sufficient time is available in the operating schedule to allow the expanded inspection to be carried out.
Without prejudice to control measures required for security purposes, the ship shall remain in the port until the inspection is completed.
3. On receipt of a pre-notification provided by a ship eligible for a periodic expanded inspection, the competent authority shall inform the ship if no expanded inspection will be carried out.
4. The scope of an expanded inspection, including the risk areas to be covered, is set out in Annex VII. The Commission shall, in accordance with the procedures referred to in Article 31(2), adopt measures for the implementation of Annex VII.
Article 15
Safety and security guidelines and procedures
1. Member States shall ensure that their inspectors follow the procedures and guidelines specified in Annex VI.
2. As far as security checks are concerned, Member States shall apply the relevant procedures set out in Annex VI to this Directive to all ships referred to in Articles 3(1), 3(2) and 3(3) of Regulation (EC) No 725/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council (11), calling at their ports and anchorages, unless they fly the flag of the port State of inspection.
3. The provisions of Article 14 of this Directive concerning expanded inspections shall apply to ro-ro ferries and high-speed passenger craft, referred to in Article 2(a) and (b) of Directive 1999/35/EC.
When a ship has been surveyed in accordance with Articles 6 and 8 of Directive 1999/35/EC by a host State which is not the flag State of the ship, such specific survey shall be recorded as a more detailed or an expanded inspection, as relevant, in the inspection database and taken into account for the purposes of Articles 10, 11 and 12 of this Directive and for calculating the fulfilment of the inspection commitment of each Member State in as much as all the items referred to in Annex VII to this Directive are covered.
Without prejudice to a prevention of operation of a ro-ro ferry or a high-speed passenger craft decided in accordance with Article 10 of Directive 1999/35/EC, the provisions of this Directive concerning rectification of deficiencies, detention, refusal of access, follow-up to inspections, detentions and refusal of access, as appropriate, shall apply.
4. If necessary, the Commission may, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 31(2), adopt the rules for the harmonised implementation of paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article.
Article 16
Access refusal measures concerning certain ships
1. A Member State shall ensure that any ship which:
— |
flies the flag of a State whose detention rate falls into the black list, adopted in accordance with the Paris MOU on the basis of information recorded in the inspection database and as published annually by the Commission, and has been detained or has been issued with a prevention of operation order under Directive 1999/35/EC more than twice in the course of the preceding 36 months in a port or anchorage of a Member State or of a State signatory of the Paris MOU, or |
— |
flies the flag of a State whose detention rate falls into the grey list, adopted in accordance with the Paris MOU on basis of information recorded in the inspection database and as published annually by the Commission, and has been detained or has been issued with a prevention of operation order under Directive 1999/35/EC more than twice in the course of the preceding 24 months in a port or anchorage of a Member State or of a State signatory of the Paris MOU, |
is refused access to its ports and anchorages, except in the situations described in Article 21(6).
Refusal of access shall become applicable as soon as the ship leaves the port or anchorage where it has been the subject of a third detention and where a refusal of access order has been issued.
2. The refusal of access order shall be lifted only after a period of three months has passed from the date of issue of the order and when the conditions in paragraphs 3 to 9 of Annex VIII are met.
If the ship is subject to a second refusal of access, the period shall be 12 months.
3. Any subsequent detention in a port or anchorage within the Community shall result in the ship being refused access to any port and anchorage within the Community. This third refusal of access order may be lifted after a period of 24 months has passed from the issue of the order and only if:
— |
the ship flies the flag of a State whose detention rate falls neither into the black list nor the grey list referred to in paragraph 1, |
— |
the statutory and classification certificates of the ship are issued by an organisation or organisations recognised under Regulation (EC) No 391/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on common rules and standards for ship inspection and survey organisations (recast) (12), |
— |
the ship is managed by a company with a high performance according to Annex I, Part I.1, and |
— |
the conditions in paragraphs 3 to 9 of Annex VIII are met. |
Any ship not meeting the criteria specified in this paragraph, after a period of 24 months has passed from the issue of the order, shall be permanently refused access to any port and anchorage within the Community.
4. Any subsequent detention in a port or anchorage within the Community after the third refusal of access shall result in the ship being permanently refused access to any port and anchorage within the Community.
5. For the purpose of this Article, Member States shall comply with the procedures laid down in Annex VIII.
Article 17
Report of inspection to the master
On completion of an inspection, a more detailed inspection or an expanded inspection, the inspector shall draw up a report in accordance with Annex IX. The ship’s master shall be provided with a copy of the inspection report.
Article 18
Complaints
All complaints shall be subject to a rapid initial assessment by the competent authority. This assessment shall make it possible to determine whether a complaint is justified.
Should that be the case, the competent authority shall take the necessary action on the complaint, in particular, ensuring that anyone directly concerned by that complaint can make their views known.
Where the competent authority deems the complaint to be manifestly unfounded, it shall inform the complainant of its decision and of the reasons therefor.
The identity of the complainant shall not be revealed to the master or the shipowner of the ship concerned. The inspector shall ensure confidentiality during any interviews of crew members.
Member States shall inform the flag State administration, with a copy to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) if appropriate, of complaints not manifestly unfounded and of follow-up actions taken.
Article 19
Rectification and detention
1. The competent authority shall be satisfied that any deficiencies confirmed or revealed by the inspection are, or will be, rectified in accordance with the Conventions.
2. In the case of deficiencies which are clearly hazardous to safety, health or the environment, the competent authority of the port State where the ship is being inspected shall ensure that the ship is detained or that the operation in the course of which the deficiencies are revealed is stopped. The detention order or stoppage of an operation shall not be lifted until the hazard is removed or until such authority establishes that the ship can, subject to any necessary conditions, proceed to sea or the operation be resumed without risk to the safety and health of passengers or crew, or risk to other ships, or without there being an unreasonable threat of harm to the marine environment.
3. When exercising his professional judgement as to whether or not a ship is to be detained, the inspector shall apply the criteria set out in Annex X.
4. If the inspection reveals that the ship is not equipped with a functioning voyage data recorder, when use of such recorder is compulsory in accordance with Directive 2002/59/EC, the competent authority shall ensure that the ship is detained.
If such deficiency cannot be readily rectified in the port of detention, the competent authority may either allow the ship to proceed to the appropriate repair yard nearest to the port of detention where it may be readily rectified or require the deficiency to be rectified within a maximum period of 30 days, as provided for in the guidelines developed by the Paris MOU. For these purposes, the procedures laid down in Article 21 shall apply.
5. In exceptional circumstances, where the overall condition of a ship is obviously substandard, the competent authority may suspend the inspection of that ship until the responsible parties take the steps necessary to ensure that it complies with the relevant requirements of the Conventions.
6. In the event of detention, the competent authority shall immediately inform, in writing and including the report of inspection, the flag State administration or, when this is not possible, the Consul or, in his absence, the nearest diplomatic representative of that State, of all the circumstances in which intervention was deemed necessary. In addition, nominated surveyors or recognised organisations responsible for the issue of classification certificates or statutory certificates in accordance with Conventions shall also be notified where relevant.
7. This Directive shall be without prejudice to the additional requirements of the Conventions concerning notification and reporting procedures related to port State control.
8. When port State control is exercised under this Directive, all possible efforts shall be made to avoid a ship being unduly detained or delayed. If a ship is unduly detained or delayed, the owner or operator shall be entitled to compensation for any loss or damage suffered. In any instance of alleged undue detention or delay the burden of proof shall lie with the owner or operator of the ship.
9. In order to alleviate port congestion, a competent authority may allow a detained ship to be moved to another part of the port if it is safe to do so. However, the risk of port congestion shall not be a consideration when deciding on a detention or on a release from detention.
Port authorities or bodies shall cooperate with the competent authority with a view to facilitating the accommodation of detained ships.
10. The port authorities or bodies shall be informed at the earliest convenience when a detention order is issued.
Article 20
Right of appeal
1. The owner or operator of a ship or his representative in the Member State shall have a right of appeal against detention or refusal of access by the competent authority. An appeal shall not cause the detention or refusal of access to be suspended.
2. Member States shall establish and maintain appropriate procedures for this purpose in accordance with their national legislation.
3. The competent authority shall properly inform the master of a ship referred to in paragraph 1 of the right of appeal and the practical arrangements relating thereto.
4. When, as a result of an appeal or of a request made by the owner or the operator of a ship or his representative, a detention order or a refusal of access order is revoked or amended:
(a) |
Member States shall ensure that the inspection database is amended accordingly without delay; |
(b) |
the Member State where the detention order or refusal of access order is issued shall, within 24 hours of such a decision, ensure that the information published in accordance with Article 26 is rectified. |
Article 21
Follow-up to inspections and detentions
1. Where deficiencies referred to in Article 19(2) cannot be rectified in the port of inspection, the competent authority of that Member State may allow the ship concerned to proceed without undue delay to the appropriate repair yard nearest to the port of detention, as chosen by the master and the authorities concerned, where follow-up action can be taken, provided that the conditions determined by the competent authority of the flag State and agreed by that Member State are complied with. Such conditions shall ensure that the ship can proceed without risk to the safety and health of passengers or crew, or risk to other ships, or without there being an unreasonable threat of harm to the marine environment.
2. Where the decision to send a ship to a repair yard is due to a lack of compliance with IMO Resolution A. 744(18), either with respect to a ship’s documentation or with respect to a ship’s structural failures and deficiencies, the competent authority may require that the necessary thickness measurements be carried out in the port of detention before the ship is allowed to sail.
3. In the circumstances referred to in paragraph 1, the competent authority of the Member State in the port of inspection shall notify the competent authority of the State where the repair yard is situated, the parties mentioned in Article 19(6) and any other authority as appropriate of all the conditions for the voyage.
The competent authority of a Member State receiving such notification shall inform the notifying authority of the action taken.
4. Member States shall take measures to ensure that access to any port or anchorage within the Community is refused to ships referred to in paragraph 1 which proceed to sea:
(a) |
without complying with the conditions determined by the competent authority of any Member State in the port of inspection; or |
(b) |
which refuse to comply with the applicable requirements of the Conventions by not calling into the indicated repair yard. |
Such refusal shall be maintained until the owner or operator provides evidence to the satisfaction of the competent authority of the Member State where the ship was found defective, demonstrating that the ship fully complies with all applicable requirements of the Conventions.
5. In the circumstances referred to in paragraph 4(a), the competent authority of the Member State where the ship was found defective shall immediately alert the competent authorities of all the other Member States.
In the circumstances referred to in paragraph 4(b), the competent authority of the Member State in which the repair yard lies shall immediately alert the competent authorities of all the other Member States.
Before denying entry, the Member State may request consultations with the flag administration of the ship concerned.
6. By way of derogation from the provisions of paragraph 4, access to a specific port or anchorage may be permitted by the relevant authority of that port State in the event of force majeure or overriding safety considerations, or to reduce or minimise the risk of pollution or to have deficiencies rectified, provided that adequate measures to the satisfaction of the competent authority of such Member State have been implemented by the owner, the operator or the master of the ship to ensure safe entry.
Article 22
Professional profile of inspectors
1. Inspections shall be carried out only by inspectors who fulfil the qualification criteria specified in Annex XI and who are authorised to carry out port State control by the competent authority.
2. When the required professional expertise cannot be provided by the competent authority of the port State, the inspector of that competent authority may be assisted by any person with the required expertise.
3. The competent authority, the inspectors carrying out port State control and the persons assisting them shall have no commercial interest either in the port of inspection or in the ships inspected, nor shall the inspectors be employed by, or undertake work on behalf of, non-governmental organisations which issue statutory and classification certificates or which carry out the surveys necessary for the issue of those certificates to ships.
4. Each inspector shall carry a personal document in the form of an identity card issued by his competent authority in accordance with Commission Directive 96/40/EC of 25 June 1996 establishing a common model for an identity card for inspectors carrying out port State control (13).
5. Member States shall ensure that the competence of inspectors and their compliance with the minimum criteria referred to in Annex XI are verified, before authorising them to carry out inspections and periodically thereafter in the light of the training scheme referred to in paragraph 7.
6. Member States shall ensure that inspectors receive appropriate training in relation to changes to the port State control system applied in the Community as laid down in this Directive and amendments to the Conventions.
7. In cooperation with Member States, the Commission shall develop and promote a harmonised Community scheme for the training and assessment of competences of port State control inspectors by Member States.
Article 23
Reports from pilots and port authorities
1. Member States shall take appropriate measures to ensure that their pilots engaged on the berthing or unberthing of ships or engaged on ships bound for a port or in transit within a Member State immediately inform the competent authority of the port State or the coastal State, as appropriate, whenever they learn in the course of their normal duties that there are apparent anomalies which may prejudice the safe navigation of the ship, or which may pose a threat of harm to the marine environment.
2. If port authorities or bodies, in the course of their normal duties, learn that a ship within their port has apparent anomalies which may prejudice the safety of the ship or poses an unreasonable threat of harm to the marine environment, such authority or body shall immediately inform the competent authority of the port State concerned.
3. Member States shall require pilots and port authorities or bodies to report at least the following information, in electronic format whenever possible:
— |
ship information (name, IMO identification number, call sign and flag), |
— |
sailing information (last port of call, port of destination), |
— |
description of apparent anomalies found on board. |
4. Member States shall ensure that proper follow-up action is taken on apparent anomalies notified by pilots and port authorities or bodies and shall record the details of action taken.
5. The Commission may, in accordance with the regulatory procedure referred to in Article 31(2), adopt measures for the implementation of this Article, including a harmonised electronic format and procedures for the reporting of apparent anomalies by pilots and port authorities or bodies and of follow-up action taken by Member States.
Article 24
Inspection database
1. The Commission shall develop, maintain and update the inspection database, building upon the expertise and experience under the Paris MOU.
The inspection database shall contain all the information required for the implementation of the inspection system set up under this Directive and shall include the functionalities set out in Annex XII.
2. Member States shall take the appropriate measures to ensure that the information on the actual time of arrival and the actual time of departure of any ship calling at their ports and anchorages, together with an identifier of the port concerned, is transferred within a reasonable time to the inspection database through the Community maritime information exchange system ‘SafeSeaNet’ referred to in Article 3(s) of Directive 2002/59/EC. Once they have transferred such information to the inspection database through SafeSeaNet, Member States are exempted from the provision of data in accordance with paragraphs 1.2 and 2(a) and (b) of Annex XIV to this Directive.
3. Member States shall ensure that the information related to inspections performed in accordance with this Directive is transferred to the inspection database as soon as the inspection report is completed or the detention lifted.
Within 72 hours, Member States shall ensure that the information transferred to the inspection database is validated for publication purposes.
4. On the basis of the inspection data provided by Member States, the Commission shall be able to retrieve from the inspection database any relevant data concerning the implementation of this Directive, in particular on the risk profile of the ship, on ships’ due for inspections, on ships’ movement data and on the inspection commitments of each Member State.
Member States shall have access to all the information recorded in the inspection database which is relevant for implementing the inspection procedures of this Directive.
Member States and third signatories to the Paris MOU shall be granted access to any data they have recorded in the inspection database and to data on ships flying their flag.
Article 25
Exchange of information and cooperation
Each Member State shall ensure that its port authorities or bodies and other relevant authorities or bodies provide the competent port State control authority with the following types of information in their possession:
— |
information notified in accordance with Article 9 and Annex III, |
— |
information concerning ships which have failed to notify any information according to the requirements of this Directive, and to Directive 2000/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2000 on port reception facilities for ship-generated waste and cargo residues (14) and Directive 2002/59/EC, as well as, if appropriate, with Regulation (EC) No 725/2004, |
— |
information concerning ships which have proceeded to sea without having complied with Articles 7 or 10 of Directive 2000/59/EC, |
— |
information concerning ships which have been denied entry or expelled from port on security grounds, |
— |
information on apparent anomalies in accordance with Article 23. |
Article 26
Publication of information
The Commission shall make available and maintain on a public website the information on inspections, detentions and refusals of access in accordance with Annex XIII, building upon the expertise and experience under the Paris MOU.
Article 27
Publication of a list of companies with a low and very low performance
The Commission shall establish and publish regularly on a public website information relating to companies whose performance, in view of determining the ship risk profile referred to in Annex I Part I, has been considered as low and very low for a period of three months or more.
The Commission shall adopt, in accordance with the regulatory procedure referred to in Article 31(2), the rules for the implementation of this Article, specifying in particular the modalities of the publication.
Article 28
Reimbursement of costs
1. Should the inspections referred to in Articles 13 and 14 confirm or reveal deficiencies in relation to the requirements of a Convention warranting the detention of a ship, all costs relating to the inspections in any normal accounting period shall be covered by the shipowner or the operator or by his representative in the port State.
2. All costs relating to inspections carried out by the competent authority of a Member State under the provisions of Articles 16 and 21(4) shall be charged to the owner or operator of the ship.
3. In the case of detention of a ship, all costs relating to the detention in port shall be borne by the owner or operator of the ship.
4. The detention shall not be lifted until full payment is made or a sufficient guarantee is given for reimbursement of the costs.
Article 29
Data to monitor implementation
Member States shall provide the Commission with the information listed in Annex XIV at the intervals stated in that Annex.
Article 30
Monitoring of compliance and performance of Member States
In order to ensure the effective implementation of this Directive and to monitor the overall functioning of the Community’s port State control regime in accordance with Article 2(b)(i) of Regulation (EC) No 1406/2002, the Commission shall collect the necessary information and carry out visits to Member States.
Article 31
Committee procedure
1. The Commission shall be assisted by the Committee on Safe Seas and the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (COSS) created by Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 2099/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council (15).
2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 5 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.
The period laid down in Article 5(6) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at three months.
3. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5a(1) to (4) and Article 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.
Article 32
Amendment procedure
The Commission shall:
(a) |
adapt the Annexes, except Annex I, in order to take into account amendments to Community legislation on maritime safety and security which have entered into force, and the Conventions, international codes and resolutions of relevant international organisations and developments in the Paris MOU; |
(b) |
amend the definitions referring to Conventions, international codes and resolutions and Community legislation which are relevant for the purposes of this Directive. |
Those measures, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Directive, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 31(3).
The amendments to the international instruments referred to in Article 2 may be excluded from the scope of this Directive, pursuant to Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 2099/2002.
Article 33
Implementing rules
When establishing the implementing rules referred to in Articles 8(4), 10(3), 14(4), 15(4), 23(5) and 27 in accordance with the procedures referred to in Article 31(2) and (3), the Commission shall take specific care that these rules take into account the expertise and the experience gained with the inspection system in the Community and the Paris MOU region.
Article 34
Penalties
Member States shall lay down a system of penalties for the breach of national provisions adopted pursuant to this Directive and shall take all the measures necessary to ensure that those penalties are applied. The penalties provided for shall be effective, proportionate and dissuasive.
Article 35
Review
The Commission shall review the implementation of this Directive no later than 30 June 2012. The review will examine, inter alia, the fulfilment of the overall Community inspection commitment laid down in Article 5, the number of port State control inspectors in each Member State, the number of inspections carried out, and the compliance with the annual inspection commitment by each Member State and the implementation of Articles 6, 7 and 8.
The Commission shall communicate the findings of the review to the European Parliament and the Council and shall determine on the basis of the review whether it is necessary to propose an amending Directive or further legislation in this area.
Article 36
Implementation and notification
1. Member States shall adopt and publish, by 31 December 2010, the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive.
They shall apply those provisions from 1 January 2011.
2. When Member States adopt those measures, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or be accompanied by such a reference on the occasion of their official publication. They shall also include a statement that references in existing laws, regulations and administrative provisions to the Directive repealed by this Directive shall be construed as references to this Directive. Member States shall determine how such reference is to be made and how that statement is to be formulated.
3. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the text of the main provisions of national law adopted in the field covered by this Directive.
4. In addition, the Commission shall inform the European Parliament and the Council on a regular basis of progress in the implementation of this Directive within the Member States, in particular with a view to a uniform application of the inspection system in the Community.
Article 37
Repeal
Directive 95/21/EC, as amended by the Directives listed in Annex XV, Part A, is hereby repealed, with effect from 1 January 2011, without prejudice to the obligations of Member States relating to the time limits for transposition into national law of the Directives set out in Annex XV, Part B.
References to the repealed Directive shall be construed as references to this Directive and shall be read in accordance with the correlation table set out in Annex XVI to this Directive.
Article 38
Entry into force
This Directive shall enter into force on the 20th day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Article 39
Addressees
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Strasbourg, 23 April 2009.
For the European Parliament
The President
H.-G. PÖTTERING
For the Council
The President
P. NEČAS
(1) OJ C 318, 23.12.2006, p. 195.
(2) OJ C 229, 22.9.2006, p. 38.
(3) Opinion of the European Parliament of 25 April 2007 (OJ C 74 E, 20.3.2008, p. 584), Council Common Position of 6 June 2008 (OJ C 198 E, 5.8.2008, s. 1), Position of the European Parliament of 24 September 2008 (not yet published in the Official Journal), Council Decision of 26 February 2009 and Legislative Resolution of the European Parliament of 11 March 2009 (not yet published in the Official Journal).
(5) OJ L 161, 22.6.2007, p. 63.
(8) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.
(9) OJ C 321, 31.12.2003, p. 1.
(10) OJ L 208, 5.8.2002, p. 10.
(11) OJ L 129, 29.4.2004, p. 6.
(12) See page 11 of this Official Journal.
(13) OJ L 196, 7.8.1996, p. 8.
(14) OJ L 332, 28.12.2000, p. 81.
(15) OJ L 324, 29.11.2002, p. 1.
ANNEX I
ELEMENTS OF THE COMMUNITY PORT STATE INSPECTION SYSTEM
(referred to in Article 5)
The following elements shall be included in the Community Port State Inspection System:
I. Ship risk profile
The risk profile of a ship shall be determined by a combination of the following generic and historical parameters:
1. Generic parameters
(a) |
Type of ship Passenger ships, oil and chemical tankers, gas carriers and bulk carriers shall be considered as posing a higher risk. |
(b) |
Age of ship Ships of more than 12 years old shall be considered as posing a higher risk. |
(c) |
Flag State performance
|
(d) |
Recognised organisations
|
(e) |
Company performance
|
2. Historical parameters
(i) |
Ships which have been detained more than once shall be considered as posing a higher risk. |
(ii) |
Ships which, during inspection(s) carried out within the period referred to in Annex II have had less than the number of deficiencies referred to in Annex II, shall be considered as posing a lower risk. |
(iii) |
Ships which have not been detained during the period referred to in Annex II, shall be considered as posing a lower risk. |
The risk parameters shall be combined by using a weighting which reflects the relative influence of each parameter on the overall risk of the ship in order to determine the following ship risk profiles:
— |
high risk, |
— |
standard risk, |
— |
low risk. |
In determining these risk profiles greater emphasis shall be given to the parameters for type of ship, flag State performance, recognised organisations and company performance.
II. Inspection of ships
1. Periodic inspections
Periodic inspections shall be carried out at predetermined intervals. Their frequency shall be determined by the ship risk profile. The interval between periodic inspections of high risk ships shall not exceed six months. The interval between periodic inspections of ships of other risk profiles shall increase as the risk decreases.
Member States shall carry out a periodic inspection on:
— |
Any ship with a high risk profile which has not been inspected in a port or anchorage within the Community or of the Paris MOU region during the last six months. High risk ships become eligible for inspection as from the fifth month. |
— |
Any ship with a standard risk profile which has not been inspected in a port or anchorage within the Community or of the Paris MOU region during the last 12 months. Standard risk ships become eligible for inspection as from the 10th month. |
— |
Any ship with a low risk profile which has not been inspected in a port or anchorage within the Community or of the Paris MOU region during the last 36 months. Low risk ships become eligible for inspection as from the 24th month. |
2. Additional inspections
Ships, to which the following overriding or unexpected factors apply, are subject to an inspection regardless of the period since their last periodic inspection. However, the need to undertake an additional inspection on the basis of unexpected factors is left to the professional judgement of the inspector.
2A. Overriding factors
Ships to which the following overriding factors apply shall be inspected regardless of the period since their last periodic inspection:
— |
Ships which have been suspended or withdrawn from their class for safety reasons since the last inspection in the Community or in the Paris MOU region. |
— |
Ships which have been the subject of a report or notification by another Member State. |
— |
Ships which cannot be identified in the inspection database. |
— |
Ships which:
|
2B. Unexpected factors
Ships to which the following unexpected factors apply may be subject to inspection regardless of the period since their last periodic inspection. The decision to undertake such an additional inspection is left to the professional judgement of the competent authority:
— |
Ships which have not complied with the applicable version of IMO Recommendation on navigation through the entrances to the Baltic Sea. |
— |
Ships carrying certificates issued by a formerly recognised organisation whose recognition has been withdrawn since the last inspection in the Community or in the Paris MOU region. |
— |
Ships which have been reported by pilots or port authorities or bodies as having apparent anomalies which may prejudice their safe navigation or pose a threat of harm to the environment in accordance with Article 23 of this Directive. |
— |
Ships which have failed to comply with the relevant notification requirements referred to in Article 9 of this Directive, in Directive 2000/59/EC, Directive 2002/59/EC and if appropriate in Regulation (EC) No 725/2004. |
— |
Ships which have been the subject of a report or complaint by the master, a crew member, or any person or organisation with a legitimate interest in the safe operation of the ship, on-board living and working conditions or the prevention of pollution, unless the Member State concerned deems the report or complaint to be manifestly unfounded. |
— |
Ships which have been previously detained more than three months ago. |
— |
Ships which have been reported with outstanding deficiencies, except those for which deficiencies had to be rectified within 14 days after departure, and for deficiencies which had to be rectified before departure. |
— |
Ships which have been reported with problems concerning their cargo, in particular noxious and dangerous cargoes. |
— |
Ships which have been operated in a manner posing a danger to persons, property or the environment. |
— |
Ships where information from a reliable source became known, to the effect that their risk parameters differ from those recorded and the risk level is thereby increased. |
3. Selection scheme
3A. Priority I ships shall be inspected as follows:
(a) |
An expanded inspection shall be carried out on:
|
(b) |
An initial or a more detailed inspection, as appropriate, shall be carried out on:
|
(c) |
In case of an overriding factor:
|
3B. Where the competent authority decides to inspect a Priority II ship, the following shall apply:
(a) |
An expanded inspection shall be carried out on:
|
(b) |
An initial or a more detailed inspection, as appropriate, shall be carried out on:
|
(c) |
In case of an unexpected factor:
|
ANNEX II
DESIGN OF SHIP RISK PROFILE
(referred to in Article 10(2))
|
Profile |
||||||
High Risk Ship (HRS) |
Standard Risk Ship (SRS) |
Low Risk Ship (LRS) |
|||||
Generic parameters |
Criteria |
Weighting points |
Criteria |
Criteria |
|||
1 |
Type of ship |
Chemical tankship Gas carrier Oil tankship Bulk carrier Passenger ship |
2 |
neither a high risk nor a low risk ship |
All types |
||
2 |
Age of ship |
all types > 12 y |
1 |
All ages |
|||
3a |
Flag |
BGW-list |
Black – VHR, HR, M to HR |
2 |
White |
||
Black – MR |
1 |
||||||
3b |
IMO-Audit |
- |
- |
Yes |
|||
4a |
Recognised organisation |
Performance |
H |
- |
- |
High |
|
M |
- |
- |
- |
||||
L |
Low |
1 |
- |
||||
VL |
Very Low |
- |
|||||
4b |
EU recognised |
- |
- |
Yes |
|||
5 |
Company |
Performance |
H |
- |
- |
High |
|
M |
- |
- |
- |
||||
L |
Low |
2 |
- |
||||
VL |
Very low |
- |
|||||
Historical parameters |
|
|
|||||
6 |
Number of deficiencies recorded in each insp. within previous 36 months |
Deficiencies |
Not eligible |
- |
≤ 5 (and at least one inspection carried out in previous 36 months) |
||
7 |
Number of detentions within previous 36 months |
Detentions |
≥ 2 detentions |
1 |
No detention |
||
HRS are ships which meet criteria to a total value of 5 or more weighting points. LRS are ships which meet all the criteria of the Low Risk Parameters. SRS are ships which are neither HRS nor LRS. |
ANNEX III
NOTIFICATION
(referred to in Article 9(1))
Information to be provided in accordance with Article 9(1):
The information listed below shall be submitted to the port authority or body or to the authority or body designated for that purpose at least three days before the expected time of arrival in the port or anchorage or before leaving the previous port or anchorage if the voyage is expected to take fewer than three days:
(a) |
ship identification (name, call sign, IMO identification number or MMSI number); |
(b) |
planned duration of the call; |
(c) |
for tankers:
|
(d) |
planned operations at the port or anchorage of destination (loading, unloading, other); |
(e) |
planned statutory survey inspections and substantial maintenance and repair work to be carried out whilst in the port of destination; |
(f) |
date of last expanded inspection in the Paris MOU region. |
ANNEX IV
LIST OF CERTIFICATES AND DOCUMENTS
(referred to in Article 13(1))
1. |
International Tonnage Certificate (1969). |
2. |
|
3. |
International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC). |
4. |
Continuous Synopsis Record. |
5. |
International Certificate of Fitness for Carriage of Liquefied Gases in Bulk;
|
6. |
International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk;
|
7. |
International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate. |
8. |
International Pollution Prevention Certificate for the Carriage of Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk. |
9. |
International Load Line Certificate (1966);
|
10. |
Oil record book, parts I and II. |
11. |
Cargo record book. |
12. |
Minimum Safe Manning Document. |
13. |
Certificates or any other documents required in accordance with the provisions of the STCW 78/95. |
14. |
Medical certificates (see ILO Convention No 73 concerning Medical Examination of Seafarers). |
15. |
Table of shipboard working arrangements (ILO Convention No 180 and STCW 78/95). |
16. |
Records of hours of work and rest of seafarers (ILO Convention No 180). |
17. |
Stability information. |
18. |
Copy of the Document of Compliance and the Safety Management Certificate issued, in accordance with the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention (SOLAS 74, Chapter IX). |
19. |
Certificates as to the ship’s hull strength and machinery installations issued by the recognised organisation in question (only to be required if the ship maintains its class with a recognised organisation). |
20. |
Document of compliance with the special requirements for ships carrying dangerous goods. |
21. |
High speed craft safety certificate and permit to operate high speed craft. |
22. |
Dangerous goods special list or manifest, or detailed stowage plan. |
23. |
Ship’s log book with respect to the records of tests and drills, including security drills, and the log for records of inspection and maintenance of lifesaving appliances and arrangements and of fire fighting appliances and arrangements. |
24. |
Special purpose ship safety certificate. |
25. |
Mobile offshore drilling unit safety certificate. |
26. |
For oil tankers, the record of oil discharge monitoring and control system for the last ballast voyage. |
27. |
The muster list, fire control plan, and for passenger ships, a damage control plan. |
28. |
Shipboard oil pollution emergency plan. |
29. |
Survey report files (in case of bulk carriers and oil tankers). |
30. |
Reports of previous port State control inspections. |
31. |
For ro ro passenger ships, information on the A/A maximum ratio. |
32. |
Document of authorisation for the carriage of grain. |
33. |
Cargo securing manual. |
34. |
Garbage management plan and garbage record book. |
35. |
Decision support system for masters of passenger ships. |
36. |
SAR cooperation plan for passenger ships trading on fixed routes. |
37. |
List of operational limitations for passenger ships. |
38. |
Bulk carrier booklet. |
39. |
Loading and unloading plan for bulk carriers. |
40. |
Certificate of insurance or any other financial security in respect of civil liability for oil pollution damage (International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1992). |
41. |
Certificates required under Directive 2009/20/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the insurance of shipowners for maritime claims (1). |
42. |
Certificate required under Regulation (EC) No 392/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the liability of carriers of passengers by sea in the event of accidents (2). |
43. |
International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate. |
44. |
International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate. |
(1) See page 128 of this Official Journal.
(2) See page 24 of this Official Journal.
ANNEX V
EXAMPLES OF ‘CLEAR GROUNDS’
(referred to in Article 13(3))
A. Examples of clear grounds for a more detailed inspection
1. |
Ships identified in Annex I, Part II 2A and 2B. |
2. |
The oil record book has not been properly kept. |
3. |
During examination of the certificates and other documentation, inaccuracies have been revealed. |
4. |
Indications that the crew members are unable to comply with the requirements related to on-board communication set out in Article 18 of Directive 2008/106/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on the minimum level of training of seafarers (1). |
5. |
A certificate has been fraudulently obtained or the holder of a certificate is not the person to whom that certificate was originally issued. |
6. |
The ship has a master, officer or rating holding a certificate issued by a country which has not ratified the STCW 78/95. |
7. |
Evidence of cargo and other operations not being conducted safely, or in accordance with IMO guidelines, e.g. the content of oxygen in the inert-gas main supply to the cargo tanks is above the prescribed maximum level. |
8. |
Failure of the master on an oil tanker to produce the record of the oil discharge monitoring and control system for the last ballast voyage. |
9. |
Absence of an up-to-date muster list, or crew members not aware of their duties in the event of fire or an order to abandon the ship. |
10. |
The emission of false distress alerts not followed by proper cancellation procedures. |
11. |
The absence of principal equipment or arrangements required by the Conventions. |
12. |
Excessively unsanitary conditions on board the ship. |
13. |
Evidence from the inspector’s general impression and observations that serious hull or structural deterioration or deficiencies exist that may place at risk the structural, watertight or weathertight integrity of the ship. |
14. |
Information or evidence that the master or crew is not familiar with essential shipboard operations relating to the safety of ships or the prevention of pollution, or that such operations have not been carried out. |
15. |
The absence of a table of shipboard working arrangements or of records of hours of work or rest of seafarers. |
B. Examples of clear grounds for the control of ships on security aspects
1. |
The inspector may establish clear grounds for further control measures on security during the initial PSC inspection as follows:
|
2. |
If clear grounds as described above are established, the inspector shall immediately inform the competent security authority (unless the inspector is also an Officer Duly Authorised for Security). The competent security authority shall then decide on what further control measures are necessary taking into account the security level in accordance with Regulation 9 of SOLAS 74, Chapter XI. |
3. |
Clear grounds other than those above are a matter for the Officer Duly Authorised for Security. |
ANNEX VI
PROCEDURES FOR THE CONTROL OF SHIPS
(referred to in Article 15(1))
Annex I, ‘Port State Control Procedures’, to the Paris MOU and the following instructions from the Paris MOU, in their up-to-date version:
— |
Instruction 33/2000/02: Operational Control on Ferries and Passenger Ships, |
— |
Instruction 35/2002/02: Guidelines for PSCOs on Electronic Charts, |
— |
Instruction 36/2003/08: Guidance for Inspection on Working and Living Conditions, |
— |
Instruction 37/2004/02: Guidelines in Compliance with STCW 78/95 Convention as Amended, |
— |
Instruction 37/2004/05: Guidelines on the Inspection of Hours of Work/Rest, |
— |
Instruction 37/2004/10: Guidelines for Port State Control Officers on Security Aspects, |
— |
Instruction 38/2005/02: Guidelines for PSCO’s Checking a Voyage Data Recorder (VDR), |
— |
Instruction 38/2005/05: Guidelines on MARPOL 73/78 Annex I, |
— |
Instruction 38/2005/07: Guidelines on Control of the Condition Assessment Scheme (CAS) of Single Hull Oil Tankers, |
— |
Instruction 39/2006/01: Guidelines for the Port State Control Officer on the ISM-Code, |
— |
Instruction 39/2006/02: Guidelines for Port State Control Officers on Control of GMDSS, |
— |
Instruction 39/2006/03: Optimisation of Banning and Notification Checklist, |
— |
Instruction 39/2006/10: Guidelines for PSCOs for the Examination of Ballast Tanks and Main Power Failure Simulation (black-out test), |
— |
Instruction 39/2006/11: Guidance for Checking the Structure of Bulk Carriers, |
— |
Instruction 39/2006/12: Code of Good Practice for Port State Control Officers, |
— |
Instruction 40/2007/04: Criteria for Responsibility Assessment of Recognised Organisations (R/O), |
— |
Instruction 40/2007/09: Guidelines for Port State Control Inspections for Compliance with Annex VI of MARPOL 73/78. |
ANNEX VII
EXPANDED INSPECTIONS OF SHIPS
(referred to in Article 14)
An expanded inspection concerns in particular the overall condition of the following risk areas:
— |
Documentation. |
— |
Structural condition. |
— |
Weathertight condition. |
— |
Emergency systems. |
— |
Radio communication. |
— |
Cargo operations. |
— |
Fire safety. |
— |
Alarms. |
— |
Living and working conditions. |
— |
Navigation equipment. |
— |
Life saving appliances. |
— |
Dangerous goods. |
— |
Propulsion and auxiliary machinery. |
— |
Pollution prevention. |
In addition, subject to their practical feasibility or any constraints relating to the safety of persons, the ship or the port, an expanded inspection shall include the verification of specific items of risk areas depending on the type of vessel inspected, as established in accordance with Article 14(3).
ANNEX VIII
PROVISIONS CONCERNING REFUSAL OF ACCESS TO PORTS AND ANCHORAGES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY
(referred to in Article 16)
1. |
If the conditions described in Article 16(1) are met, the competent authority of the port in which the ship is detained for the third time shall inform the master of the ship in writing that a refusal of access order will be issued which will become applicable immediately after the ship has left the port. The refusal of access order shall become applicable immediately after the ship has left the port after the deficiencies leading to the detention have been remedied. |
2. |
The competent authority shall send a copy of the refusal of access order to the flag State administration, the recognised organisation concerned, the other Member States, and the other signatories to the Paris MOU, the Commission and the Paris MOU Secretariat. The competent authority shall also update the inspection database with information on the refusal of access without delay. |
3. |
In order to have the refusal of access order lifted, the owner or the operator must address a formal request to the competent authority of the Member State that imposed the refusal of access order. This request must be accompanied by a document from the flag State administration issued following an on-board visit by a surveyor duly authorised by the flag State administration, showing that the ship fully conforms to the applicable provisions of the Conventions. The flag State administration shall provide evidence to the competent authority that a visit on board has taken place. |
4. |
The request for the lifting of the refusal of access order must also be accompanied, where appropriate, by a document from the classification society which has the ship in class following an on-board visit by a surveyor from the classification society, showing that the ship conforms to the class standards stipulated by that society. The classification society shall provide evidence to the competent authority that a visit on board has taken place. |
5. |
The refusal of access order may be lifted only after the period referred to Article 16 of this Directive has elapsed and following a re-inspection of the ship at an agreed port. If the agreed port is located in a Member State, the competent authority of that State may, at the request of the competent authority which issued the refusal of access order, authorise the ship to enter the agreed port in order to carry out the re-inspection. In such cases, no cargo operations shall take place at the port until the refusal of access order has been lifted. |
6. |
If the detention which led to the issue of a refusal of access order included deficiencies in the ship’s structure, the competent authority which issued the refusal of access order may require that certain spaces, including cargo spaces and tanks, are made available for examination during the re-inspection. |
7. |
The re-inspection shall be carried out by the competent authority of the Member State that imposed the refusal of access order, or by the competent authority of the port of destination with the agreement of the competent authority of the Member State that imposed the refusal of access order. The competent authority may require up to 14 days’ notice for the re-inspection. Evidence shall be provided to the satisfaction of this Member State that the ship fully complies with the applicable requirements of the Conventions. |
8. |
The re-inspection shall consist of an expanded inspection that must cover at least the relevant items of Annex VII. |
9. |
All costs of this expanded inspection will be borne by the owner or the operator. |
10. |
If the results of the expanded inspection satisfy the Member State in accordance with Annex VII, the refusal of access order must be lifted and the company of the ship informed thereof in writing. |
11. |
The competent authority shall also notify its decision in writing to the flag State administration, the classification society concerned, the other Member States, the other signatories to the Paris MOU, the Commission and the Paris MOU Secretariat. The competent authority must also update the inspection database with information on the removal of the access without delay. |
12. |
Information relating to ships that have been refused access to ports within the Community must be made available in the inspection database and published in conformity with the provisions of Article 26 and of Annex XIII. |
ANNEX IX
INSPECTION REPORT
(referred to in Article 17)
The inspection report must contain at least the following items.
I. General
1. |
Competent authority that wrote the report |
2. |
Date and place of inspection |
3. |
Name of the ship inspected |
4. |
Flag |
5. |
Type of ship (as indicated in the Safety Management Certificate) |
6. |
IMO identification number |
7. |
Call sign |
8. |
Tonnage (gt) |
9. |
Deadweight tonnage (where relevant) |
10. |
Year of construction as determined on the basis of the date indicated in the ship’s safety certificates |
11. |
The classification society or classification societies as well as any other organisation, where relevant, which has/have issued to this ship the classification certificates, if any |
12. |
The recognised organisation or recognised organisations and/or any other party which has/have issued to this ship certificates in accordance with the applicable Conventions on behalf of the flag State |
13. |
Name and address of the ship’s company or the operator |
14. |
Name and address of the charterer responsible for the selection of the ship and type of charter in the case of ships carrying liquid or solid cargoes in bulk |
15. |
Final date of writing the inspection report |
16. |
Indication that detailed information on an inspection or a detention may be subject to publication. |
II. Information relating to inspection
1. |
Certificates issued in application of the relevant Conventions, authority or organisation that issued the certificate(s) in question, including the date of issue and expiry |
2. |
Parts or elements of the ship that were inspected (in the case of more detailed or expanded inspection) |
3. |
Port and date of the last intermediate or annual or renewal survey and the name of the organisation which carried out the survey |
4. |
Type of inspection (inspection, more detailed inspection, expanded inspection) |
5. |
Nature of the deficiencies |
6. |
Measures taken. |
III. Additional information in the event of detention
1. |
Date of detention order |
2. |
Date of lifting the detention order |
3. |
Nature of the deficiencies warranting the detention order (references to Conventions, if relevant) |
4. |
Indication, where relevant, of whether the recognised organisation or any other private body that carried out the survey has a responsibility in relation to the deficiencies which, alone or in combination, led to detention |
5. |
Measures taken. |
ANNEX X
CRITERIA FOR DETENTION OF A SHIP
(referred to in Article 19(3))
INTRODUCTION
Before determining whether deficiencies found during an inspection warrant detention of the ship involved, the inspector must apply the criteria mentioned below in points 1 and 2.
Point 3 includes examples of deficiencies that may for themselves warrant detention of the ship involved (see Article 19(4)).
Where the ground for detention is the result of accidental damage suffered on the ship’s voyage to a port, no detention order shall be issued, provided that:
(a) |
due account has been given to the requirements contained in Regulation I/11(c) of SOLAS 74 regarding notification to the flag State administration, the nominated surveyor or the recognised organisation responsible for issuing the relevant certificate; |
(b) |
prior to entering a port, the master or shipowner has submitted to the port State control authority details on the circumstances of the accident and the damage suffered and information about the required notification of the flag State administration; |
(c) |
appropriate remedial action, to the satisfaction of the Authority, is being taken by the ship; and |
(d) |
the authority has ensured, having been notified of the completion of the remedial action, that deficiencies which were clearly hazardous to safety, health or the environment have been rectified. |
1. Main criteria
When exercising his professional judgement as to whether or not a ship should be detained the inspector must apply the following criteria:
Ships which are unsafe to proceed to sea must be detained upon the first inspection irrespective of how much time the ship will stay in port.
The ship is detained if its deficiencies are sufficiently serious to merit an inspector returning to satisfy himself that they have been rectified before the ship sails.
The need for the inspector to return to the ship is a measure of the seriousness of the deficiencies. However, it does not impose such an obligation for every case. It implies that the authority must verify one way or another, preferably by a further visit, that the deficiencies have been rectified before departure.
2. Application of main criteria
When deciding whether the deficiencies found in a ship are sufficiently serious to merit detention the inspector must assess whether:
1. |
the ship has relevant, valid documentation; |
2. |
the ship has the crew required in the Minimum Safe Manning Document. |
During inspection the inspector must further assess whether the ship and/or crew is able to:
3. |
navigate safely throughout the forthcoming voyage; |
4. |
safely handle, carry and monitor the condition of the cargo throughout the forthcoming voyage; |
5. |
operate the engine room safely throughout the forthcoming voyage; |
6. |
maintain proper propulsion and steering throughout the forthcoming voyage; |
7. |
fight fires effectively in any part of the ship if necessary during the forthcoming voyage; |
8. |
abandon ship speedily and safely and effect rescue if necessary during the forthcoming voyage; |
9. |
prevent pollution of the environment throughout the forthcoming voyage; |
10. |
maintain adequate stability throughout the forthcoming voyage; |
11. |
maintain adequate watertight integrity throughout the forthcoming voyage; |
12. |
communicate in distress situations if necessary during the forthcoming voyage; |
13. |
provide safe and healthy conditions on board throughout the forthcoming voyage; |
14. |
provide the maximum of information in case of accident. |
If the answer to any of these assessments is negative, taking into account all deficiencies found, the ship must be strongly considered for detention. A combination of deficiencies of a less serious nature may also warrant the detention of the ship.
3. To assist the inspector in the use of these guidelines, there follows a list of deficiencies, grouped under relevant Conventions and/or codes, which are considered of such a serious nature that they may warrant the detention of the ship involved. This list is not intended to be exhaustive.
3.1. General
The lack of valid certificates and documents as required by the relevant instruments. However, ships flying the flag of States not party to a relevant Convention or not having implemented another relevant instrument, are not entitled to carry the certificates provided for by the Convention or other relevant instrument. Therefore, absence of the required certificates should not by itself constitute reason to detain these ships; however, in applying the ‘no more favourable treatment’ clause, substantial compliance with the provisions is required before the ship sails.
3.2. Areas under SOLAS 74
1. |
Failure of the proper operation of propulsion and other essential machinery, as well as electrical installations. |
2. |
Insufficient cleanliness of engine room, excessive amount of oily-water mixtures in bilges, insulation of piping, including exhaust pipes in engine room contaminated by oil, improper operation of bilge pumping arrangements. |
3. |
Failure of the proper operation of emergency generator, lighting, batteries and switches. |
4. |
Failure of the proper operation of the main and auxiliary steering gear. |
5. |
Absence, insufficient capacity or serious deterioration of personal life-saving appliances, survival craft and launching arrangements. |
6. |
Absence, non-compliance or substantial deterioration of fire detection system, fire alarms, firefighting equipment, fixed fire-extinguishing installation, ventilation valves, fire dampers, quick-closing devices to the extent that they cannot comply with their intended use. |
7. |
Absence, substantial deterioration or failure of proper operation of the cargo deck area fire protection on tankers. |
8. |
Absence, non-compliance or serious deterioration of lights, shapes or sound signals. |
9. |
Absence or failure of the proper operation of the radio equipment for distress and safety communication. |
10. |
Absence or failure of the proper operation of navigation equipment, taking the provisions of SOLAS 74, Regulation V/16.2 into account. |
11. |
Absence of corrected navigational charts, and/or all other relevant nautical publications necessary for the intended voyage, taking into account that a type approved electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) operating on official data may be used as a substitute for the charts. |
12. |
Absence of non-sparking exhaust ventilation for cargo pump rooms. |
13. |
Serious deficiency in the operational requirements, as described in Section 5.5 of Annex 1 to the Paris MOU. |
14. |
Number, composition or certification of crew not corresponding with the safe manning document. |
15. |
Failure to carry out the enhanced survey programme in accordance with SOLAS 74, Chapter XI, Regulation 2. |
3.3. Areas under the IBC Code
1. |
Transport of a substance not mentioned in the Certificate of Fitness or missing cargo information. |
2. |
Missing or damaged high-pressure safety devices. |
3. |
Electrical installations not intrinsically safe or not corresponding to code requirements. |
4. |
Sources of ignition in hazardous locations. |
5. |
Contraventions of special requirements. |
6. |
Exceeding of maximum allowable cargo quantity per tank. |
7. |
Insufficient heat protection for sensitive products. |
3.4. Areas under the IGC Code
1. |
Transport of a substance not mentioned in the Certificate of Fitness or missing cargo information. |
2. |
Missing closing devices for accommodation or service spaces. |
3. |
Bulkhead not gastight. |
4. |
Defective air locks. |
5. |
Missing or defective quick-closing valves. |
6. |
Missing or defective safety valves. |
7. |
Electrical installations not intrinsically safe or not corresponding to code requirements. |
8. |
Ventilators in cargo area not operable. |
9. |
Pressure alarms for cargo tanks not operable. |
10. |
Gas detection plant and/or toxic gas detection plant defective. |
11. |
Transport of substances to be inhibited without valid inhibitor certificate. |
3.5. Areas under LL 66
1. |
Significant areas of damage or corrosion, or pitting of plating and associated stiffening in decks and hull affecting seaworthiness or strength to take local loads, unless proper temporary repairs for a voyage to a port for permanent repairs have been carried out. |
2. |
A recognised case of insufficient stability. |
3. |
The absence of sufficient and reliable information, in an approved form, which by rapid and simple means, enables the master to arrange for the loading and ballasting of his ship in such a way that a safe margin of stability is maintained at all stages and at varying conditions of the voyage, and that the creation of any unacceptable stresses in the ship’s structure are avoided. |
4. |
Absence, substantial deterioration or defective closing devices, hatch closing arrangements and watertight doors. |
5. |
Overloading. |
6. |
Absence of draft mark or draft mark impossible to read. |
3.6. Areas under MARPOL 73/78, Annex I
1. |
Absence, serious deterioration or failure of proper operation of the oily-water filtering equipment, the oil discharge monitoring and control system or the 15 ppm alarm arrangements. |
2. |
Remaining capacity of slop and/or sludge tank insufficient for the intended voyage. |
3. |
Oil Record Book not available. |
4. |
Unauthorised discharge bypass fitted. |
5. |
Survey report file missing or not in conformity with Regulation 13G(3)(b) of MARPOL 73/78. |
3.7. Areas under MARPOL 73/78, Annex II
1. |
Absence of the P&A Manual. |
2. |
Cargo is not categorised. |
3. |
No cargo record book available. |
4. |
Transport of oil-like substances without satisfying the requirements or without an appropriately amended certificate. |
5. |
Unauthorised discharge bypass fitted. |
3.8. Areas under MARPOL 73/78, Annex V
1. |
Absence of the garbage management plan. |
2. |
No garbage record book available. |
3. |
Ship’s personnel not familiar with disposal/discharge requirements of garbage management plan. |
3.9. Areas under the STCW 78/95 and Directive 2008/106/EC.
1. |
Failure of seafarers to hold a certificate, to have an appropriate certificate, to have a valid dispensation or to provide documentary proof that an application for an endorsement has been submitted to the flag State administration. |
2. |
Evidence that a certificate has been fraudulently obtained or the holder of a certificate is not the person to whom that certificate was originally issued. |
3. |
Failure to comply with the applicable safe manning requirements of the flag State administration. |
4. |
Failure of navigational or engineering watch arrangements to conform to the requirements specified for the ship by the flag State administration. |
5. |
Absence in a watch of a person qualified to operate equipment essential to safe navigation, safety radio communications or the prevention of marine pollution. |
6. |
Failure to provide proof of professional proficiency for the duties assigned to seafarers for the safety of the ship and the prevention of pollution. |
7. |
Inability to provide for the first watch at the commencement of a voyage and for subsequent relieving watches persons who are sufficiently rested and otherwise fit for duty. |
3.10. Areas under the ILO Conventions
1. |
Insufficient food for voyage to next port. |
2. |
Insufficient potable water for voyage to next port. |
3. |
Excessively unsanitary conditions on board. |
4. |
No heating in accommodation of a ship operating in areas where temperatures may be excessively low. |
5. |
Insufficient ventilation in accommodation of a ship. |
6. |
Excessive garbage, blockage by equipment or cargo or otherwise unsafe conditions in passageways/accommodations. |
7. |
Clear evidence that watchkeeping and other duty personnel for the first watch or subsequent relieving watches are impaired by fatigue. |
3.11. Areas which may not warrant a detention, but where, e.g. cargo operations have to be suspended.
Failure of the proper operation (or maintenance) of inert gas system, cargo-related gear or machinery are considered sufficient grounds for stopping cargo operation.
ANNEX XI
MINIMUM CRITERIA FOR INSPECTORS
(referred to in Article 22(1) and (5))
1. |
Inspectors must have appropriate theoretical knowledge and practical experience of ships and their operation. They must be competent in the enforcement of the requirements of Conventions and of the relevant port State control procedures. This knowledge and competence in enforcing international and Community requirements must be acquired through documented training programmes. |
2. |
Inspectors must, as a minimum, have either:
|
3. |
The inspector must have:
|
4. |
The inspectors mentioned under 2(a) must have gained a maritime experience of at least 5 years, including periods served at sea as officers in the deck- or engine-department respectively, or as a flag State inspector or as an assistant port State control inspector. Such experience shall include a period of at least two years at sea as a deck or engine officer. |
5. |
The inspectors must have the ability to communicate orally and in writing with seafarers in the language most commonly spoken at sea. |
6. |
Inspectors not fulfilling the above criteria are also accepted if they are employed by the competent authority of a Member State for port State control at the date of adoption of this Directive. |
7. |
Where in a Member State inspections referred to in Article 15(1) and (2) are performed by port State control inspectors; those inspectors shall have appropriate qualifications, which shall include sufficient theoretical and practical experience in maritime security. This shall normally include:
|
ANNEX XII
FUNCTIONALITIES OF THE INSPECTION DATABASE
(referred to in Article 24(1))
1. |
The inspection database shall include at least the following functionalities:
|
2. |
The inspection database shall have the capability to adapt to future developments and to interface with other Community maritime safety databases, including SafeSeaNet, which shall provide data on ships’ actual calls to ports of Member States and, where appropriate, to relevant national information systems. |
3. |
A deep hyperlink shall be provided from the inspection database to the Equasis information system. Member States shall encourage that the public and private databases relating to ship inspection accessible through Equasis are consulted by the inspectors. |
ANNEX XIII
PUBLICATION OF INFORMATION RELATED TO INSPECTIONS, DETENTIONS AND REFUSALS OF ACCESS IN PORTS AND ANCHORAGES OF MEMBER STATES
(referred to in Article 26)
1. |
Information published in accordance with Article 26 must include the following:
|
2. |
For ships which have been detained, information published in accordance with Article 26 must also include:
|
ANNEX XIV
DATA PROVIDED IN THE CONTEXT OF MONITORING IMPLEMENTATION
(referred to in Article 29)
1. Every year Member States must provide the Commission with the following data for the preceding year by 1 April at the latest.
1.1. Number of inspectors acting on their behalf in the framework of port State control
This information must be communicated to the Commission using the following model table (1) (2).
Port/area |
Number of full-time inspectors (A) |
Number of part-time inspectors (B) |
Conversion of (B) to full-time (C) |
Total (A+C) |
Port X/or Area X … |
|
|
|
|
Port Y/or Area Y … |
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
1.2. Total number of individual ships that entered their ports at national level. The figure shall be the number of ships covered by this Directive that entered their ports at national level counted only once.
2. Member States must:
(a) |
provide the Commission every six months with a list of calls at port of individual ships, other than regular passenger and freight ferry services, that entered their ports or which have notified to a port authority or body their arrival in an anchorage, containing for each movement of the ship its IMO identification number, its date of arrival and the port. The list shall be provided in the form of a spreadsheet programme enabling an automatic retrieval and processing of the abovementioned information. The list shall be provided within 4 months from the end of the period to which data pertained; and |
(b) |
provide the Commission with separate lists of regular passenger ferry services and regular freight ferry services referred to in point (a), not later than six months following the implementation of this Directive, and thereafter each time changes take place in such services. The list shall contain for each ship its IMO identification number, its name and the route covered by the ship. The list shall be provided in the form of a spreadsheet programme enabling an automatic retrieval and processing of the abovementioned information. |
(1) Where the inspections carried out in the context of port State control represent only part of the inspectors' work, the total number of inspectors must be converted to a number equivalent to full-time inspectors. Where the same inspector works in more than one port or geographical area the applicable part-time equivalent must be counted in each port.
(2) This information must be provided at national level and for each port of the Member State concerned. For the purposes of this Annex, a port is taken to mean an individual port or the geographical area covered by an inspector or team of inspectors, comprising several individual ports where appropriate.
ANNEX XV
PART A
Repealed Directive with its successive amendments
(referred to in Article 37)
Council Directive 95/21/EC |
|
Council Directive 98/25/EC |
|
Commission Directive 98/42/EC |
|
Commission Directive 1999/97/EC |
|
Directive 2001/106/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council |
|
Directive 2002/84/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council |
Only Article 4 |
PART B
List of time limits for transposition into national law
(referred to in Article 37)
Directive |
Time limit for transposition |
Directive 95/21/EC |
30 June 1996 |
Directive 98/25/EC |
30 June 1998 |
Directive 98/42/EC |
30 September 1998 |
Directive 1999/97/EC |
13 December 2000 |
Directive 2001/106/EC |
22 July 2003 |
Directive 2002/84/EC |
23 November 2003 |
ANNEX XVI
Correlation table
(referred to in Article 37)
Directive 95/21/EC |
This Directive |
Article 1, introductory wording |
Article 1, introductory wording |
Article 1, first indent |
Article 1(a) |
Article 1, second indent |
Article 1(b) |
– |
Article 1(c) |
Article 2, introductory wording |
Article 2, introductory wording |
Article 2(1), introductory wording |
Article 2(1), introductory wording |
Article 2(1), first indent |
Article 2(1)(a) |
Article 2(1), second indent |
Article 2(1)(b) |
Article 2(1), third indent |
Article 2(1)(c) |
Article 2(1), fourth indent |
Article 2(1)(d) |
Article 2(1), fifth indent |
Article 2(1)(e) |
Article 2(1), sixth indent |
Article 2(1)(f) |
Article 2(1), seventh indent |
Article 2(1)(g) |
Article 2(1), eighth indent |
Article 2(1)(h) |
Article 2(2) |
Article 2(2) |
– |
Article 2(3) |
– |
Article 2(4) |
Article 2(3) |
Article 2(5) |
Article 2(4) |
– |
– |
Article 2(6) |
– |
Article 2(7) |
Article 2(5) |
Article 2(8) |
– |
Article 2(9) |
– |
Article 2(10) |
Article 2(6) |
Article 2(11) |
Article 2(7) |
Article 2(12) |
Article 2(8) |
Article 2(13) |
– |
Article 2(14) |
Article 2(9) |
Article 2(15) |
– |
Article 2(16) |
Article 2(10) |
Article 2(17) |
– |
Article 2(18) |
– |
Article 2(19) |
– |
Article 2(20) |
– |
Article 2(21) |
– |
Article 2(22) |
Article 3(1), first subparagraph |
Article 3(1), first subparagraph |
– |
Article 3(1), second subparagraph |
– |
Article 3(1), third subparagraph |
Article 3(1), second subparagraph |
Article 3(1), fourth subparagraph |
– |
Article 3(1), fifth subparagraph |
– |
Article 3(1), sixth subparagraph |
Article 3(2) to (4) |
Article 3(2) to (4) |
– |
Article 4(1) |
Article 4 |
Article 4(2) |
Article 5 |
– |
– |
Article 5 |
– |
Article 6 |
– |
Article 7 |
– |
Article 8 |
– |
Article 9 |
– |
Article 10 |
– |
Article 11 |
– |
Article 12 |
Article 6(1), introductory wording |
– |
– |
Article 13(1), introductory wording |
Article 6(1)(a) |
Article 13(1)(a) |
– |
Article 13(1)(b) |
Article 6(1)(b) |
Article 13(1)(c) |
Article 6(2) |
– |
– |
Article 13(2) |
Article 6(3) |
Article 13(3) |
Article 6(4) |
– |
Article 7 |
– |
Article 7a |
– |
Article 7b |
– |
– |
Article 14 |
– |
Article 15 |
– |
Article 16 |
Article 8 |
Article 17 |
– |
Article 18 |
Article 9(1) and (2) |
Article 19(1) and (2) |
Article 9(3), first sentence |
Article 19(3) |
Article 9(3), sentences 2 to 4 |
Article 19(4) |
Article 9(4) to (7) |
Article 19(5) to (8) |
– |
Article 19(9) and (10) |
Article 9a |
– |
Article 10(1) to (3) |
Article 20(1) to (3) |
– |
Article 20(4) |
Article 11(1) |
Article 21(1) |
– |
Article 21(2) |
Article 11(2) |
Article 21(3), first subparagraph |
Article 11(3), first subparagraph |
– |
Article 11(3), second subparagraph |
Article 21(3), second subparagraph |
Article 11(4) to (6) |
Article 21(4) to (6) |
Article 12(1) to (3) |
Article 22(1) to (3) |
Article 12(4) |
Article 22(4) |
– |
Article 22(5) to (7) |
Article 13(1) to (2) |
Article 23(1) and (2) |
– |
Article 23(3) to (5) |
Article 14 |
– |
Article 15 |
– |
– |
Article 24 |
– |
Article 25 |
– |
Article 26 |
– |
Article 27 |
Article 16(1) and (2) |
Article 28(1) and (2) |
Article 16(2a) |
Article 28(3) |
Article 16(3) |
Article 28(4) |
Article 17 |
Article 29 |
– |
Article 30 |
Article 18 |
Article 31 |
Article 19 |
Article 32 |
– |
Article 33 |
Article 19a |
Article 34 |
– |
Article 35 |
Article 20 |
Article 36 |
– |
Article 37 |
Article 21 |
Article 38 |
Article 22 |
Article 39 |
Annex I |
– |
– |
Annex I |
– |
Annex II |
– |
Annex III |
Annex II |
Annex IV |
Annex III |
Annex V |
Annex IV |
Annex VI |
Annex V |
Annex VII |
Annex VI |
Annex X |
Annex VII |
Annex XI |
– |
Annex XII |
Annex VIII |
Annex XIII |
Annex IX |
Annex IX |
Annex X |
Annex XIV |
Annex XI |
Annex VIII |
Annex XII |
– |
– |
Annex XV |
– |
Annex XVI |
28.5.2009 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
L 131/101 |
DIRECTIVE 2009/17/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
of 23 April 2009
amending Directive 2002/59/EC establishing a Community vessel traffic monitoring and information system
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 80(2) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (2),
Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (3), in the light of the joint text approved by the Conciliation Committee on 3 February 2009,
Whereas:
(1) |
With the adoption of Directive 2002/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (4), the European Union reinforced its capacity for preventing situations posing a threat to the safety of human life at sea and to the protection of the marine environment. |
(2) |
Since this Directive concerns the amendment of Directive 2002/59/EC, most of the obligations it contains will not be applicable to Member States without sea shores and sea ports. Consequently, the only obligations which will be applicable to Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg or Slovakia are those obligations concerning ships flying the flag of those Member States, without prejudice to Member States' duty of cooperation to ensure continuity between maritime and other modal traffic management services, in particular river information services. |
(3) |
Under this Directive Member States that are coastal States should be able to exchange information, which they gather in the course of maritime traffic monitoring missions, which they carry out in their areas of competence. The Community maritime information exchange system ‘SafeSeaNet’, developed by the Commission in agreement with the Member States, comprises, on the one hand, a data exchange network and, on the other hand, a standardisation of the main information available on ships and their cargo (advance notice and reporting). It thus makes it possible to locate at source and communicate to any authority accurate and up-to-date information on ships in European waters, their movements and their dangerous or polluting cargoes, as well as marine incidents. |
(4) |
Accordingly, in order to guarantee operational use of the information gathered in this way, it is essential that the infrastructure necessary for the data collection and exchange referred to in this Directive and implemented by the national administrations be integrated into the SafeSeaNet. |
(5) |
Of the information notified and exchanged pursuant to Directive 2002/59/EC, that concerning the precise characteristics of dangerous or polluting goods carried by sea is particularly important. Accordingly, and in the light of recent maritime accidents, coastal authorities should be allowed easier access to the characteristics of the hydrocarbons being carried by sea, an essential factor in choosing the most suitable control techniques, and, in an emergency, provided with a direct link with those operators who have the best knowledge of the goods being carried. |
(6) |
The automatic ship identification systems (AIS – Automatic Identification System) referred to in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea of 1 November 1974 make it possible not only to improve the possibilities of monitoring these ships but above all to make them safer in close navigation situations. AIS have accordingly been integrated into the enacting terms of Directive 2002/59/EC. Considering the large number of collisions involving fishing vessels that have clearly not been seen by merchant ships or which have not seen the merchant ships around them, extension of that measure to include fishing vessels with a length of more than 15 metres is very much to be desired. In the framework of the European Fisheries Fund, financial assistance may be provided for the fitting on board of fishing vessels of safety equipment such as AIS. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has recognised that the publication for commercial purposes on the internet or elsewhere of AIS data transmitted by ships could be detrimental to the safety and security of ships and port facilities and has urged its member governments, subject to the provisions of their national laws, to discourage those who make AIS data available to others for publication on the internet or elsewhere from doing so. In addition, the confidentiality of information sent to Member States pursuant to this Directive should be ensured, and the Member States should use that information in compliance with this Directive. |
(7) |
The obligation to fit AIS should be understood also to require that AIS be maintained in operation at all times except where international rules or standards provide for the protection of navigational information. |
(8) |
A Member State which so requests should be entitled to seek information from another Member State regarding a ship and dangerous or polluting goods carried by it. This information should be available through SafeSeaNet and should only be requested for reasons of maritime safety or security or the protection of the marine environment. It is therefore essential that the Commission investigate possible network and information security problems. |
(9) |
Directive 2002/59/EC provides that Member States are to adopt special measures in respect of ships posing a potential hazard due to their behaviour or condition. It therefore seems desirable to add to the list of these ships those which do not have satisfactory insurance cover or financial guarantees or which have been reported by pilots or port authorities as having apparent anomalies which may prejudice their safe navigation or create a risk for the environment. |
(10) |
In accordance with Directive 2002/59/EC, it seems necessary, in relation to the risks posed by exceptionally bad weather, to take into account the potential danger to shipping from ice formation. Therefore, where a competent authority designated by a Member State considers, on the basis of an ice forecast provided by a qualified meteorological information service, that the sailing conditions are creating a serious threat to the safety of human life or a serious threat of pollution, it should so inform the masters of the ships present in its area of competence or intending to enter or leave the port or ports in the area concerned. The authority concerned should be able to take any appropriate steps to ensure the safety of human life at sea and to protect the environment. Member States should also have the possibility of verifying that the necessary documentation on board provides evidence that the ship complies with strength and power requirements commensurate with the ice situation in the area concerned. |
(11) |
Directive 2002/59/EC provides that Member States are to draw up plans to accommodate, if the situation so requires, ships in distress in their ports or in any other protected place in the best possible conditions, in order to limit the consequences of accidents at sea. However, taking into account the Guidelines on Places of Refuge for Ships in Need of Assistance annexed to Resolution A.949(23) of the International Maritime Organisation of 13 December 2003 (IMO Resolution A.949(23)), which were adopted subsequently to Directive 2002/59/EC and refer to ships in need of assistance, rather than to ships in distress, that Directive should be amended accordingly. This Directive does not affect the rules applicable to rescue operations such as those laid down by the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, where the safety of human life is at stake. |
(12) |
To make provision for ships in need of assistance as referred to in IMO Resolution A.949(23), one or more competent authorities should be designated to take decisions with a view to minimising risks to maritime safety, the safety of human life and the environment. |
(13) |
On the basis of IMO Resolution A.949(23) and following the work carried out jointly by the Commission, the European Maritime Safety Agency (the Agency) and the Member States, it is necessary to lay down the basic provisions that plans for accommodating ships in need of assistance should contain in order to ensure a harmonised and effective implementation of this measure and clarify the scope of obligations incumbent on the Member States. |
(14) |
IMO Resolution A.949(23) is to form the basis of any plans prepared by Member States in order to respond effectively to threats posed by ships in need of assistance. However, when assessing the risks associated with such threats, Member States may, in view of their special circumstances, take into consideration other factors, such as the use of sea water for the production of potable water as well as the generation of electricity. |
(15) |
Seafarers are recognised as a special category of worker and, given the global nature of the shipping industry and the different jurisdictions that they may be brought into contact with, need special protection, especially in relation to contacts with public authorities. In the interests of increased maritime safety, seafarers should be able to rely on fair treatment in the event of a maritime accident. Their human rights and dignity should be preserved at all times and all safety investigations should be conducted in a fair and expeditious manner. To that end, Member States should, in accordance with their national legislation, further take into account the relevant provisions of the IMO guidelines on the fair treatment of seafarers in the event of a maritime accident. |
(16) |
When a ship is in need of assistance, a decision may have to be taken as regards the accommodation of that ship in a place of refuge. This is particularly important in the event of a situation that could give rise to the loss of a vessel or an environmental or navigational hazard. In such a case, it is necessary to be able to call on an authority in a Member State, depending on the internal structure of that Member State, having the required expertise and the power to take independent decisions as regards the accommodation of a ship in a place of refuge. It is also important that the decision is taken after a preliminary evaluation of the situation on the basis of the information contained in the relevant plan for accommodation of ships in a place of refuge. It is desirable that the competent authorities should be permanent in nature. |
(17) |
Plans for accommodating ships in need of assistance should describe precisely the decision-making chain with regard to alerting and dealing with the situation in question. The authorities concerned and their remits should be clearly described, as should the means of communication between the parties involved. The applicable procedures should ensure that an appropriate decision can be taken quickly on the basis of specific maritime expertise and adequate information available to the competent authority. |
(18) |
Ports which accommodate a ship should be able to rely on prompt compensation in respect of costs and any damage arising from the operation. To that end, it is important that the relevant international conventions be applied. Member States should endeavour to put in place a legal framework under which they could, in exceptional circumstances and in accordance with Community law, compensate a port or other entity for costs and economic loss suffered as a result of accommodating a ship. Moreover, the Commission should examine existing mechanisms within Member States for the compensation of potential economic loss suffered by a port or a body and should, on the basis of this examination, put forward and evaluate different policy options. |
(19) |
When drawing up the plans, Member States should gather information on potential places of refuge on the coast so as to allow the competent authority, in the event of an accident or incident at sea, to identify clearly and quickly the most suitable areas for accommodating ships in need of assistance. This relevant information should contain a description of certain characteristics of the sites under consideration and the equipment and installations available to make it easier to accommodate ships in need of assistance or deal with the consequences of an accident or pollution. |
(20) |
It is important for the list of competent authorities responsible for deciding whether to accommodate a ship in a place of refuge, and the list of authorities responsible for receiving and handling alerts, to be published appropriately. It may also prove useful for the parties involved in a maritime assistance operation, including assistance and towing companies, and the authorities of neighbouring Member States likely to be affected by an emergency at sea, to have access to relevant information. |
(21) |
The absence of financial insurance does not exonerate a Member State from its obligation to perform a preliminary assessment and to decide on the acceptance of the ship in a place of refuge. Though the competent authorities may verify whether the ship is covered by insurance or some other effective form of financial security permitting appropriate compensation for costs and damages associated with its accommodation in a place of refuge, the act of requesting this information must not delay the rescue operation. |
(22) |
The specific function of the vessel traffic monitoring and ship's routing measures is to allow Member States to obtain a true knowledge of the ships using the waters under their jurisdiction and thus enable them to take more effective action against potential risks if necessary. Sharing the information gathered helps to improve its quality and makes it easier to process. |
(23) |
In accordance with Directive 2002/59/EC, Member States and the Commission have made substantial progress towards harmonising electronic data exchange, in particular as regards the transport of dangerous or polluting goods. SafeSeaNet, in development since 2002, should now be established as the reference network at Community level. SafeSeaNet should aim at reducing administrative burdens and costs for industry and the Member States. It should also aim at facilitating the uniform implementation, where appropriate, of international reporting and notification rules. |
(24) |
The progress made in the new technologies and in particular in their space applications, such as beacon-based ship monitoring systems, imaging systems or Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), now makes it possible to extend traffic monitoring further offshore and thereby to ensure better coverage of European waters, including by Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) systems. There will have to be full cooperation within the Community on this work if these tools are to become an integral part of the vessel traffic monitoring and information system established by Directive 2002/59/EC. |
(25) |
In order to enable cost savings and avoid unnecessary fitting of equipment on board ships sailing in maritime areas within the coverage of AIS fixed-based stations, Member States and the Commission should cooperate to determine the requirements concerning the fitting of equipment for transmitting LRIT information and should submit to the IMO any appropriate measures. |
(26) |
Publication of AIS and LRIT data transmitted by ships should not create a risk to safety, security or the protection of the environment. |