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

The Committee has adopted the draft recommendation for second reading by Mr Alfonso NOVO BELENGUER (E, ERA) on the Council's common position on amending Directive 93/75/EEC concerning minimum requirements for vessels carrying dangerous or polluting goods. Since the adoption of this directive, the International Maritime organization IMO adopted a resolution on the safe carriage of irrediated nuclear fuel, plutonium and high-level radioactive wastes by ship. The current draft amending directive aims at including within the scope of Directive 93/75/EEC the requirements for these radioactive materials. The rapporteur had retabled a crucial amendment not accepted at first reading by Council on vessels transporting dangerous or polluting goods whilst transiting the EU without stopping at a Community port. The operators of such vessels should notify the coastal member states on route, before beginning the voyage. Mr NOVO BELENGUER also stressed that a number of member states have still not transposed the original directive into their national legislation. The Commission is currently opening infringement procedures against two member states whilst awaiting replies from two others, including that currently holding the Presidency of the EU.�