Commission publishes list of banned ships

A list of ships banned from EU ports has been published this week in a bid to combat environmental disasters and oil spills in waters surrounding European countries.


Nineteen ships in total were added to the list, which mainly comprised bulk carriers. Only two chemical tankers and one oil tanker were identified as posing a threat.

Countries reprimanded for using ships that did not comply with EU regulations included: St Vincent and the Grenadines, Bolivia, Turkey, Romania and the Syrian Arab Republic.

The ban was imposed on these ships because they were detained several times and they were flying a flag included in the black list that was published as part of the annual report of the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control.

“This measure is part of the arsenal of legislation adopted in the wake of the Erika and Prestige disasters to combat oil spills and rust bucket ships,” the Commission’s Vice President responsible for transport and energy, Loyola de Palacio, stated.

“We must keep up the pressure so that maritime safety continues to improve globally and ensure that the rules are applied rigorously by all Member States.”

European port state control regulations require publication of these black-listed vehicles to ensure transparency and deter others from falling short of the relevant maritime safety standards.

By Jane Kettle

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