The Role of the Vessel Traffic Monitoring Information System Synergies and Contradictions of Maritime Surveillance and Maritime Claims within the European and International Maritime Context

Abstract

The European Parliament on 14 June 2001 approved the Directive proposal on the establishment of a Community Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Information System with the support of the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions1. On the 27th June 2002, the Council of the EU, under the co-decision procedure, adopted Directive 2002/59/EC on establishing a Community Vessel Traffic Monitoring System in order to enhance the maritime safety and efficiency of marine traffic, to improve authorities' response to marine accidents at sea and facilitate the prevention of potential ships’ pollution2. Its main provisions are focused3: (1) on improving the detection of vessels calling at an EU port and monitoring them while sailing through dense traffic zones and dangerous marine areas, (2) on simplifying the procedures in regards to the pre-arrival notification of information and reporting requirements imposed by the Port State for polluting & dangerous goods carried by vessels, (3) on reassuring a close monitoring of vessels which might be a high risk to the maritime safety and the marine environment4 and had been refused access to EU ports, or had been reported according to Directive 2009/16 on Port  State Control5, (4) on strengthening the powers of EU Member States to intervene as Coastal States in the event of a pollution threat near their territorial waters, and (5) on accepting a vessel in danger and provide a port of refuge...