On the 22nd July the Official Journal of the European Union has published the Common Position (EC) No 15/2008 adopted by the Council on 6 June 2008 with a view to adopting Directive about  Community vessel traffic monitoring and information system.

The main objective of the proposed Directive is to amend Directive 2002/59/EC in order to incorporate additional measures to enhance ship safety and environmental protection as well as to harmonise the implementation of the ‘places of refuge’.

The proposal includes in particular the development of the Community maritime safety information exchange system SafeSeaNet, the designation by Member States of an independent authority for the accommodation of ships in distress, measures to be taken in the presence of ice as well as the treatment of uninsured ships. Furthermore, the proposal suggests the use of automatic identification systems (AIS) to be made compulsory for fishing vessels longer that 15 metres and tightening of the shipper's information obligations.

Specifc questions for the Directive

1. Use of automatic identification systems (AIS) by fishing vessels with an overall length of more than 15 metres.
2. Accommodation of ships in places of refuge. Member States should apply the IMO guidelines on places of refuge for ships in need of assistance (IMO Resolution A.949(23)).
3. Maritime information management systems - SafeSeaNet.

Previus studies

The European Commission has also been supporting projects in the field of Research and Investigation via the sixth framework programme by means of financing, and by other means, of the following projects:

• DIFIS  - Double inverted funnel for intervention on ship-wrecks.
• EUMOP - Elimination Units for Marine Oil Pollution.
• MAPO - MArine POllution.
• SPREEX - Spill Response Experience Coordinated Action.
• AMPERA - European CA to foster prevention and best response to accidental marine pollution.