Rights of passengers when travelling by sea and inland waterway; coordination between national authorities

The European Parliament's opinion at second reading of 6 July 2010, has brought the Council position closer to that of the Commission's proposal in terms of broadening of the scope (exclusion limited to vessels carrying up to 12 passengers rather than 36 passengers), as improving the protection of the rights of passengers with reduced mobility and disabled passengers (accessible formats, reducing exceptions to the right to travel, shortening notification periods) as well as raising the level of protection of passengers travelling by sea and inland waterways in general (lowering compensation thresholds, raising levels of assistance).

The Parliament's position is a result of a compromise obtained at the last informal trialogue held on 15 June 2010 and which was discussed and approved on 23 June 2010 in Council.

The Commission accepts the modification of its proposal according to the above described compromise text of the Council and the Parliament.