Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2000-03-14-Speech-2-097"
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"en.20000314.7.2-097"2
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"The recent wreck of the
oil tanker off the coast of Brittany increased the awareness among the general public of the problem, among others, of ‘degassing’, the illegal discharge of waste oils, detritus or other waste associated with vessel cargoes, which some unscrupulous ship’s captains undertake while at sea. Although the breaches in the wreck had officially been sealed, oil slicks in fact continued to wash up on the shores, showing that either new leaks had appeared or that vessels passing through the vicinity were taking advantage of the situation to empty their tanks, or, probably, that both these things were occurring at the same time. In the jungle of maritime transport, such behaviour is, unfortunately, frequently encountered. It helps to make refuse sites of our seas and beaches, and to jeopardise the ecological balance of the marine environment.
Just today, in fact, the European Parliament is examining, at second reading, a proposed directive which has been under discussion for two years, which draws the implications of the 1973 Marpol International Convention, ratified by all Member States, to the Community level. This convention makes it compulsory for vessels to dispose of their waste while in the port of call, in the port waste-disposal installations intended for the purpose, and, in return, requires the signatory states to construct appropriate installations. We can only applaud the proposed European directive which would make it possible to apply these principles.
At the same time, however, we wish to ask the important question, which is: what is to become of the inspections? The proposal envisages that vessels docking in a Community port may leave again only on presentation of certificates proving that the vessel’s waste and cargo residues have indeed been disposed of in the appropriate installations. But what about vessels from outside the Community? Will they also be asked for certificates? And how will vessels that pass through our waters without docking into port be inspected?
We think that, to begin with, access to Member State ports should be banned for vessels which do not present such certificates, even if they are from outside the Community. Furthermore, the Member States, who, under the directive, are to make the commitment to step up in-port inspections, must also undertake to intensify their systems for inspections at sea. We know only too well the pressure of competition in maritime transport. There is no point in adopting conventions or directives if they are subsequently to remain dead letters for lack of inspection resources."@en1
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