![Safety of ro-ro passenger ships: Stability requirements [EU Legislation in Progress]](https://i0.wp.com/epthinktank.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/EPRS-Briefing-733616-Safety-ro-ro-passenger-ships-FINAL.png?fit=1000%2C653&ssl=1)
Written by Karin Jacobs.
In the framework of the Commission’s Regulatory Fitness and Performance Programme (REFIT) and Better Regulation agenda, and as announced in the 2011 White Paper on Transport, the Commission has presented a legislative proposal to amend existing rules on damage stability requirements for roll on roll off (ro-ro) passenger ships, known as ferries. This is to improve the maritime safety of both vessels and their passengers.
The proposed revision of the existing directive originates from maritime accidents, as with the MS Estonia in 1994 and the MS Express Samina in 2000. It would ensure consistency with the applicable international standards, recently updated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) under its 2020 SOLAS Convention. It also aims to strengthen the fleet entry requirements within the EU for large vessels that have not yet been certified here.
The proposal will amend the existing Directive (2003/25/EC) in this area. The main purpose is to align current technical rules with IMO stability requirements, and to simplify these rules.
| Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2003/25/EC as regards the inclusion of improved stability requirements and its alignment with stability requirements defined by the International Maritime Organization |
| Committee responsible: | Transport and Tourism (TRAN) | COM(2022) 0053 18.2.2022 |
| Rapporteur: | Roberts Zile, ECR, Latvia) | 2022/0036(COD) |
| Shadow rapporteurs: | Magdalena Adamowicz, EPP, Poland Vera Tax, S&D, The Netherlands Caroline Nagtegaal, Renew, The Netherlands Jutta Paulus, Greens/EFA, Germany Elena Kountoura, The Left, Greece | Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’) |
| Next steps expected: Vote in committee on draft report |
Be the first to write a comment.