![Revision of the Flag State Requirements Directive [EU Legislation in Progress]](https://i0.wp.com/epthinktank.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/EPRS-Briefing-751432-Revision-flag-state-requirements-directive-FINAL.png?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1)
Written by Mathias Gullentops (3rd edition, updated on 04.04.2024).
On 1 June 2023, the European Commission presented a maritime safety package, including a proposal on a revised directive for compliance with flag state requirements. Revision of the rules is needed to take account of digitalisation, improve inspections and cooperation between flag states, and align with international rules on safety, pollution prevention, and working conditions, through inspections and surveys. This is to ensure EU flag states discharge their international law obligations.
The proposal covers requirements for flag state inspections, based on International Maritime Organization rules. The objective is to improve maritime safety and reduce the risk of environmental pollution, ensuring that EU flag states continue to provide high quality shipping services. The proposal facilitates information sharing between flag states on the results of inspections and compliance issues in general. The European Maritime Safety Agency is to support this cooperation through revised training programmes for flag state inspectors.
The European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee (TRAN) adopted its report on 7 December 2023. On 27 February 2024, Parliament and Council negotiators reached a provisional agreement on the conditions under which flag and port states check if vessels are safe to sail. On 20 March 2024, the TRAN committee endorsed the provisional agreement, which is now scheduled for a plenary vote during the April I 2024 part-session.
Complete version
- April 2024: Revision of the Flag State Requirements Directive (3rd edition)
| Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2009/21/EC on compliance with flag State requirements | ||
| Committee responsible: | Transport and Tourism (TRAN) | COM(2023) 272 final 1.6.2023 |
| Rapporteur: | Vera Tax (the Netherlands, S&D) | 2023/0172(COD) |
| Shadow rapporteurs: | Ljudmila Novak (EPP, Slovenia) Pierre Karleskind (Renew, France) Karima Delli (Greens/EFA, France) Johan Van Overveldt (ECR, Belgium) Marco Campomenosi (ID, Italy) Clare Daly (The Left, Ireland) | Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’) |
| Next steps expected: | First-reading vote in plenary | |
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