After Costa Concordia tragedy, cruise industry commits to EU on ship safety rules

Vice-President Siim Kallas, European Commissioner for Transport today announced a passenger ship safety review at the International Maritime Organisation to ensure that European citizens can expect state of the art safety measures in place - no matter where they board a passenger ship.

Following its ongoing passenger ship safety review, the EU will either propose re-enforcing recent IMO standards or propose new EU minimum norms, some of which could form the basis for new IMO standards.

"I welcome and endorse the ongoing commitment of the European Cruise Council and its members to actively pursue a high level of safety on board all their vessels and to support ongoing legislative reviews," Kallas said.

"The recent tragic accident of the Costa Concordia provides additional impetus to review and improve safety arrangements on board. I understand that the industry is undertaking a review of its operational safety practices and procedures, including navigation, evacuation, emergency training and related practices and procedures. I stressed that any lessons learned must be shared both with the Commission and the International Maritime Organisation.

"Safety is the top priority. Passengers must be sure that the same high safety standards will apply wherever and whenever they travel.  We need an international review at IMO level, to complement the passenger ship safety review currently ongoing within the EU, ensures that any lessons learnt on safety, are applied not only in Europe, but to passenger ships across the board."

The Commission services will launch a public consultation process on the passenger ship safety, legislative review, during spring 2012.

The Vice President will host, in spring 2012 a conference with stakeholders on the Safety of Passenger Ships. 
Following the Costa Concordia accident, the IMO has announced that it will consider issues relating to the safety of passenger ships, at the IMO Maritime Safety Committee meeting from 16-25 May 2012.

The Commission will bring forwards, if necessary, proposals to adapt existing rules on the safety of passenger ship safety to new developments in the sector before the end of the year.