Considerations on COM(2006)111 - Amendment of Regulation (EC) No 417/2002 on the accelerated phasing-in of double-hull or equivalent design requirements for single-hull oil tankers

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dossier COM(2006)111 - Amendment of Regulation (EC) No 417/2002 on the accelerated phasing-in of double-hull or equivalent design requirements for ...
document COM(2006)111 EN
date April 25, 2007
 
table>(1)Regulation (EC) No 417/2002 (3) provides for the accelerated phasing-in of double-hull or equivalent design requirements for single-hull oil tankers laid down in the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL 73/78), in order to reduce the risk of accidental oil pollution in European waters.
(2)Regulation (EC) No 417/2002 introduced measures prohibiting the carriage of heavy grades of oil in single-hull oil tankers leaving or bound for ports in the European Union.

(3)Following action by the Member States and the Commission within the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), this ban has been imposed worldwide through an amendment to Annex I to MARPOL 73/78.

(4)Paragraphs 5, 6 and 7 of Regulation 13H of Annex I to MARPOL 73/78 concerning the ban on the carriage of heavy grades of oil in single-hull oil tankers provide for the possibility of exemptions from the application of certain provisions of Regulation 13H. The statement by the Italian Presidency of the European Council on behalf of the European Union, recorded in the official report of the IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 50), expresses a political commitment to refrain from making use of these exemptions.

(5)Under Regulation (EC) No 417/2002, a ship flying the flag of a Member State could apply the exemptions from Regulation 13H if it operated outside ports or offshore terminals under the jurisdiction of a Member State and still comply with Regulation (EC) No 417/2002.

(6)Regulation (EC) No 417/2002 should therefore be amended accordingly,