Ships in European Union seas could face significant fines not only for oil spills, but also for sewage and garbage discharge, transport and tourism committee MEPs said yesterday.
On Thursday, the committee voted to update EU rules on preventing pollution from ships in European seas and ensuring perpetrators face fines. It would ensure all international standards on preventing illegal discharges from ships, developed by the International Maritime Organization, become part of EU law and as a result become more easily enforceable.
MEPs supported the proposal to extend current EU rules prohibiting the discharge of oil and noxious liquid substances to include the discharge of sewage, garbage, and residues from scrubbers.
