Maritime safefy: safe loading and unloading of bulk carriers

The Commission agrees to the majority of amendments adopted by the European Parliament, although a number of amendments, where there is an agreement in principle, changes have been incorporated in order to clarify and improve the wording in relation to international provisions. The Commission agrees to strengthen the role of the competent authority, by obliging it to halt loading or unloading operations should the safety of crew of ship be endangered. However, the Commission can however not accept: - the amendment to the definition of the "competent authority", narrowing down the choice for Member States when appointing this body, which is central to the implementation of the Directive, - the amendment to annex VI, because it would limit the terminal representative's responsibility in relation to determining if hot work is carried out on board the ship while alongside the berth of the bulk loading and unloading terminal. The Commission also proposes to make a minor amendment to allow for the interim certification of newly established terminals in the start-up phase.�