A coalition of environmental organizations has issued an open letter to the EU Member States and Parliament, urging them to incorporate the International Maritime Organization’s Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) into the Port State Control Directive. The final negotiations on the directive are slated for February 19, prompting these groups to highlight the importance of addressing shipping’s environmental impacts, says an article published on splash247 website.
Summary
- A coalition of environmental organizations has issued an open letter to the EU Member States and Parliament, urging them to incorporate the International Maritime Organization’s Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) into the Port State Control Directive.
- The Environmental Defence Fund, Transport & Environment, Seas at Risk, NABU, and Opportunity Green express concern that the existing version of the legislation falls short in mitigating shipping-related environmental harm.
- The European Commission’s proposal, presented in June 2023, aimed to revise several legal acts, including the Port State Control Directive, to enhance maritime safety and pollution prevention.
- However, the European Council’s General Approach adopted in December 2023 did not endorse the Commission’s proposal to incorporate CII.
Current Legislation Concerns
The Environmental Defence Fund, Transport & Environment, Seas at Risk, NABU, and Opportunity Green express concern that the existing version of the legislation falls short in mitigating shipping-related environmental harm. The Port State Control Directive serves as a critical framework for ensuring safety, security, and environmental protection in shipping operations within the EU.
Background And Proposal
The European Commission’s proposal, presented in June 2023, aimed to revise several legal acts, including the Port State Control Directive, to enhance maritime safety and pollution prevention. The proposal included the integration of CII scores into Ship Risk Profiles, with grades “D” and “E” indicating higher risk levels for vessels and increasing the likelihood of port state inspections.
Council’s Position And Environmentalists’ Perspective
However, the European Council’s General Approach adopted in December 2023 did not endorse the Commission’s proposal to incorporate CII. Environmental groups argue that the inclusion of CII is crucial for reducing shipping’s climate and environmental impact. They emphasize that CII empowers individual ships and companies to implement various technical and operational measures, such as slow steaming or energy-saving technologies, thereby minimizing environmental harm.
Benefits Of CII
The letter underscores the multifaceted benefits of CII implementation, including reduced collisions with marine wildlife, decreased underwater noise pollution, improved air quality, and enhanced human health. Additionally, CII can mitigate pollution risks in European ports, fostering a safer and more sustainable maritime environment.
Call To Action
The environmental organizations call on EU co-legislators to include CII in the Port State Control Directive, emphasizing its importance in modernizing the EU’s port inspection regime and advancing environmental protection efforts. By integrating CII, the EU can effectively address shipping-related environmental challenges and promote sustainable maritime practices.
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Source: splash247
