Implementation and effects of the third maritime safety package : ex-post impact assessment : in-depth analysis

Maritime safety remains high on the political agenda for the European Union, being the driving force behind the adoption of the three Maritime Safety Packages and including it as one of the main themes of the Parliament's recommendations for the EU's maritime transport policy until 2018. A series of incidents with casualties at the end of 2014 and beginning of 2015 drew attention to the importance of effective regulation in this area. This study provides an analysis of the effectiveness of the measures included in the Third Maritime Safety Package. It illustrates (namely through simplified intervention logic tables), the extent to which the anticipated effects have materialised and the challenges encountered during the first years of implementation, based on data collected from desk research, a survey of Member States authorities, and stakeholder consultations. The report concludes that the majority of the anticipated short- and mid-term effects have materialised. Among the most important effects are the improved transparency on the performance of vessels, improvement of quality checks on Port State control, increased pressure on substandard ships, increased knowledge on maritime traffic, and increased cooperation between Member States in accident investigation. Regarding the achievement of some of the other anticipated longer-term effects, the assessment led to a more cautious conclusion - such as the improvement of flag State performance, increased independence of accident investigation and eradication of substandard ships in EU waters. Some of the most significant challenges encountered during the first years of implementation are the assistance and accommodation of ships at sea in an emergency situation and designating a place of refuge, complying with inspection commitments according to the New Inspection Regime (NIR), mutual recognition among classification societies, and sharing of information on dangerous or polluting goods (HAZMAT) through the SafeSeaNet system.