Malta is retaining its pressure within the EU to have amendments made to a draft on ship-source pollution. It is believed that the issue is on the agenda in the near future but it appears that the three largest Mediterranean merchant shipping registers, namely Malta, Greece and Cyprus will once again vote against.

The three EU countries blocked a European Union proposal to set minimum criminal sanctions for captains and companies responsible for oil slicks during the last meeting of the EU’s Justice and Home Affairs Council, held last month.

After the blocking of the proposals, the relevant Ministers of the three EU member states formally wrote to the presidency asking for another consultation to take place, as during the last meeting, many of the members were not represented at ministerial level. While the three EU members have made their proposals to the EU’s text, the Dutch presidency has still not come up with alternatives.

The three countries disagree with the proposals in view of the fact that through these regulations their merchant fleets would suffer.  The said drafts appear to go beyond international agreements in force in other registries outside the EU, hence putting the EU flagged ships at a disadvantage with other competitors.  Malta has defended its stand in order to protect the country’s economic interests.

Although the three countries have won the support of their national ship-owners, criticism from the key EU countries that support the need to strengthen punishments, has certainly been triggered.

It is understood that that if the EU Parliament retains this position and no agreement is reached, the proposed legislation might be dropped after the necessary conciliation procedures are adhered to as is required by EU Parliament procedures.