Considerations on COM(2019)159 - EU position on the adoption of amendments to (annexes to) maritime conventions and codes

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dossier COM(2019)159 - EU position on the adoption of amendments to (annexes to) maritime conventions and codes.
document COM(2019)159 EN
date May 14, 2019
 
table>(1)Action by the Union in the sector of maritime transport should aim to protect the marine environment and improve maritime safety.
(2)The Marine Environment Protection Committee (‘MEPC’) of the International Maritime Organization (‘IMO’), during its 74th session on 13 to 17 May 2019 (‘MEPC 74’), is expected to adopt amendments to Annex II to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (‘MARPOL Annex II’).

(3)The Maritime Safety Committee (‘MSC’) of the IMO, during its 101st session on 5 to 14 June 2019 (‘MSC 101’), is expected to adopt amendments to the International Code on the Enhanced Programme of Inspections During Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers, 2011 (‘2011 ESP Code’), amendments to the International Life-Saving Appliance Code (‘LSA Code’), amendments to the Records of Equipment (Forms C, E and P of the appendix to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (‘SOLAS’)) and amendments to parts A and A-1 of the International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or Other Low-flashpoint Fuels (‘IGF Code’).

(4)It is appropriate to establish the position to be taken on the Union's behalf during MEPC 74, as the amendments to MARPOL Annex II will be capable of decisively influencing the content of Union law, namely Directive 2005/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (1) and Directive 2000/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (2).

(5)It is appropriate to establish the position to be taken on the Union's behalf during MSC 101 as: the amendments to the 2011 ESP Code will be capable of decisively influencing the content of Union law, namely Regulation (EU) No 530/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3); the amendments to the LSA Code will be capable of decisively influencing the content of Union law, namely Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/773 (4) and Directive 2014/90/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (5); the amendments to the SOLAS Convention will be capable of decisively influencing the content of Union law, namely Directive 2009/45/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (6); and the amendments to the IGF Code will be capable of decisively influencing the content of Union law, namely Directive 2009/45/EC.

(6)The amendments to MARPOL Annex II should ensure reduction of the impact on the environment related to cargo residues and tank washings of persistent floating products with a high viscosity and/or a high melting point.

(7)The amendments to the 2011 ESP Code should include editorial changes to the Code, identifying all mandatory requirements and improving the tables and forms, as well as merge those editorial changes with text regarding new substantial requirements in order to reflect recent updates to the International Association of Classification Societies' Unified Requirements Z10 series.

(8)The amendments to paragraph 6.1.1.3 of the LSA Code should ensure uniform implementation concerning manual launching of small rescue boats that are not one of a ship's survival craft.

(9)The amendments to paragraph 4.4.8.1 of the LSA Code should ensure exemption for lifeboats with two independent propulsion systems from the obligation to be equipped with sufficient buoyant oars and related items to make headway in calm seas.

(10)The amendments to item 8.1 in Records of Equipment Forms C, E and P in the appendix to the SOLAS Convention should ensure clarity as regards the fact that not all of the indicators listed are applicable to all ships and that the indicators can therefore be deleted as appropriate.

(11)The amendments to parts A and A-1 of the IGF Code should ensure consistency regarding the existing requirements for ships using natural gas as fuel by introducing necessary amendments based on the experience gained as regards application of the Code.

(12)The Union is not a member of the IMO, nor a contracting party to the relevant conventions and codes. The Council should therefore authorise the Member States to express the position of the Union and to express their consent to be bound by those amendments, to the extent that those amendments fall under the exclusive competence of the Union,