On February 15th, a crucial agreement was reached between the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union to update community regulations aimed at preventing pollution caused by ships in European waters. This decision marks a significant step in protecting the marine environment.
Henceforth, the list of substances prohibited from being discharged by ships will include sewage, garbage, and scrubber residues. Additionally, EU member states and the Commission will be required to implement measures to effectively respond to detections of spills through the European satellite system CleanSeaNet. It will be imperative to verify 25% of alerts and to pursue ships that violate the established rules more deterrently.
The agreement also mandates that EU member states transpose these new rules into their national legislation within 30 months after approval by the Council and the European Parliament.
This development is part of the maritime security package presented by the Commission in June 2023. This comprehensive initiative aims to modernize and strengthen European maritime rules regarding navigation safety and pollution prevention, underscoring the EU’s continued commitment to preserving the marine ecosystem.
