MEPs seal Erika III package

摘要

"A huge step forward," "a great success," "good work": satisfaction prevailed at the European Parliament, in all the political groups, over the final adoption of the eight legislative proposals that make up the Erika III package, designed to improve safety at sea. On 11 March in Strasbourg, members of the EP adopted almost as one the agreements hammered out, in conciliation or second reading, with the Council of Ministers. Adoption brings to conclusion a legislative course lasting more than three years.rnThe main thrust of the package is better control of ships, better compensation in the event of accidents, penalties for offenders and rewards for those playing by the rules. Bringing the package to successful conclusion involved finding agreements on very sensitive points, such as the places of shelter for ships in distress or the definitive exclusion of rust-bucket ships from Europe's ports.