Community ports: vessels carrying dangerous or polluting goods (amend. Directive 93/75/EEC)

In line with opinions expressed previously, and in particular those in its Opinion on the Communication on a Common Policy for Safety at Sea the Committee welcomes the present draft directive. As the carriage of radioactive materials by sea is increasing and the position of EU Member States regarding that transport is very important, the Committee thinks that the introduction of a reference to the INF Code in Article 2 of Directive 93/75/EEC is fully justified. The Committee is also of the opinion that due consideration should be given to the application of Directive 93/75/EEC, as modified by the present Directive, not only to vessels bound for or leaving Community ports, or staying at anchor in territorial waters of an EU Member State, but also to all vessels in transit in those territorial waters. Finally, the adoption of the committee procedure makes it easier to follow the evolution of international legislation. In terms of safety at sea and marine environment protection this evolution is currently very fast. �