EUROPEAN COMMISSION
DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR MOBILITY AND TRANSPORT
Directorate D - Logistics, maritime & land transport and passenger rights
D.2 - Maritime safety
Brussels,
DG MOVE/D.2/BS
NOTE FOR THE FILE
Subject:
1.
Meeting of the Maritime Directors – Brussels, 24 October 2014
Summary points
Mid-term Review of the Maritime transport strategy
Maritime directors presented the past actions and future priorities of their country. There
was a lot of emphasis on national policies to provide shipping with the best framework
conditions with fiscal measures (tonnage tax), better regulation and refit, streamlining
administrative procedures, digitalisation and technological innovation, with a view to
maintain a competitive quality shipping sector in Europe. To be noted as well the focus
of all maritime directors on the human element: need for better branding of the
profession, how to attract youngsters, what schemes to put in place with training
institutes, social conditions, etc.
Member States were invited to provide further elements in writing.
2.
European maritime transport space without barriers and development of
integrated digital maritime services – Reporting Formalities and VTMIS Directives,
Blue Belt
There was broad support for the approach put forward by the Commission. Many
maritime directors insisted on the need to advance on the national single window as a
matter of priority. Confidentiality of data has to be protected appropriately.
3.
European Sustainable Shipping Forum
All interventions were positive on results so far and the idea of prolongation, as long as
there are clear terms of reference and a precise calendar. Financing and infrastructure for
alternative fuels were mentioned as priority topics.
The Commission will put forward a proposal for prolongation.
4.
Compliance with Flag State requirements
Maritime directors mentioned that all registers are (or have to) apply the same safety
rules and are (or should be) subject to the IMO audit. They were also willing to share
knowledge and best practice on the IMO audit. Guidance from the Commission for RO
monitoring was deemed helpful.
5.
Compatibility of RO & III Codes with EU legislation
Maritime directors insisted on keeping the 'dynamic reference principle' (automatic
incorporation in EU law of amendments to international conventions). Against this
backdrop the Commission explained the importance of completing the conformity
checking procedure to maintain existing EU legislation in place. There was no discussion
on substance while the written procedure is running.
6.
Fitness Check of the EU passenger ship safety legislation
Maritime directors welcomed the REFIT exercise for passenger ship safety rules,
commended on the thoroughness of the work carried out by the Commission and EMSA,
and expressed their views on the various issues put forward by the Commission (sea
areas, scope and offshore service vessels).
7.
AOB
Ebola – FR informed about additional measures and stricter controls in FR to prevent the
spread of Ebola in all modes of transport including maritime (screening of seafarers in
ports).
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Annex
List of participants
BE
VAN CRAEYVELT Eugeen
Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport
BG
PETROV Zhivko
Bulgarian Maritime Administration
BG
STANCHEV Stephan
Permanent Representation
CY
PAVLIDES Adonis
Permanent Representation
CY
CHRYSOSTOMOU Andreas
Department of Merchant Shipping of Cyprus
DE
ESCHERICH Peter
Federal Ministry of Transport
DE
SPERLING Christian
Permanent Representation
DK
NORDSETH Andreas
Danish Maritime Authority
DK
THEM PARNAS Josephine
Danish Maritime Authority
EE
MAIDE Andrus
Estonian Maritime Administration
EE
OTS Tarmo
Estonian Maritime Administration
EL
ANASTASAKOS Agisilaos
Shipping Policy and Development
EL
PAPAILIOU Dimitrios
Permanent Representation
ES
GUÉREZ Luis Miguel
Ministry of Public Works and Transport
FI
MURTO Risto
Ministry of Transport & Communications
FI
ROUTA Tuomas
Finnish Transport Safety Agency
FI
WOOD Päivi
Permanent Representation
FR
HERVE Brule
Direction des Affaires maritimes
BUTORAC Igor
Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and
Infrastructure of the Republic of Croatia
IE
MULLEN Maurice
Irish Maritime Administration
IT
PUJIA Enrico
Ministry of Infrastructure & Transport
IT
ERRIGO Antonio
Permanent Representation
LV
RITUMA Laima
Maritime Department - Ministry of Transport
LV
ZELTINS Ansis
Permanent Representation
LV
GAVARS Andris
Permanent Representation
MT
ZAMMIT Dulcie
Merchant Shipping Directorate, Transport Malta
MT
KERR David
Permanent Representation
NL
DE JONG Bart
Director Maritime Affairs
NL
VAN DER GUGTEN Kasper
Permanent Representation
NO
HANSEN Hilde Kristin
Norwegian Ministry of Trade and Industry
PL
ZDANOWICZ Wojciech
Ministry of Infrastructure and Development
MACIEL José
Directorate General for Natural resources, Safety
and Maritime Services
SI
ZABUKOVEC Ales
Permanent Representation
UK
BARRY Thomas
Maritime Safety and Environment
MYLLY Markku
EMSA
TASSONI Andrea
EMSA
HR
PT
EC
DG for Mobility and Transport
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