Revision of the Directive on the investigation of accidents in the maritime transport sector [EU Legislation in Progress]

Written by Mathias Gullentops (4th edition, updated on 19.12.2024).

On 1 June 2023, the European Commission published a proposal seeking to update the directive on investigation of accidents in maritime transport, to take into account changes in the international maritime regulatory environment and technological developments in the maritime sector in recent years. The proposal also seeks to achieve an improved concentration of resources and to address shortages in expertise.

Within the European Parliament, the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) handled the file, with Caroline Nagtegaal (Renew, the Netherlands) as rapporteur. The Council reached its general approach on 4 December 2023. The TRAN committee adopted its report on 7 December 2023. On 10 April 2024, Parliament adopted the provisional agreement reached with the Council on 13 February, and on 18 November, the Council then adopted Parliament’s first-reading position. The final act was signed by the Presidents of the Council and Parliament on 27 November 2024. The revised directive enters into force on 26 December 2024, and Member States have two and a half years, until 27 June 2027, to transpose its provisions into national law.

Complete version

• December 2024: Revision of the Directive on the investigation of accidents in the maritime transport sector (4th edition)