Maritime safety, pollution: international standards for ships using community ports

OBJECTIVE: to update Directive 95/21/EC in order to take account of recent amendments to the international conventions applicable for the purposes of the directive: amendments to the MARPOL and SOLAS Conventions and 1995 amendments to the 1978 STCW Convention (conventions on standards of training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers). OBJECTIVE: Council Directive 95/21/EC concerning the enforcement, in respect of ships using EU ports and sailing in the waters under the jurisdiction of the Member States, of international standards for ship safety, pollution prevention and shipboard living and working conditions (port state control). CONTENT: the amendments introduced by the directive seek to: - extend port state control to take account of recent amendments to the MARPOL, SOLAS and STCW Conventions; - oblige Member States to ensure that ships using their ports comply with the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and Pollution Prevention (ISM Code); - introduce specific procedures for detaining ships not carrying a copy of the document of compliance or safety management certificate issued under the ISM Code, taking account of the fact that many companies and ships will not have an ISM certificate on 1 July 1998, when the ISM Code enters into force; - stipulate the powers granted under the committee procedure where amendments are made to international conventions at a later date. ENTRY INTO FORCE: 7 May 1998 DEADLINE FOR TRANSPOSITION: 1 July 1998.�