Title: SafeSeaNet and traffic monitoring of ships and dangerous or polluting goods in maritime transport within the European Economic Area

Authors: Einar Hannesson

Addresses: EFTA Surveillance Authority, Rue Belliard 35, 1040 Brussels, Belgium

Abstract: The European Union (EU) has established an extensive vessel traffic monitoring and information system with a view to enhancing the safety and efficiency of maritime traffic. This new information system will be mandated in most ships and provide the EU Member States and the European Commission with various information pertaining to cargo and traffic routes. The information system requires telematic exchange of data according to defined syntax and procedures and has sanctions based on EU Law for non-compliance. The information system is first and foremost the brainchild of the EU, but is also interlinked with several international conventions pertaining to the prevention of pollution and maritime security. The information system will be mandatory within the European Economic Area and will, therefore, concern maritime traffic in most European waters – from the North Atlantic Ocean to the Black Sea.

Keywords: traffic monitoring; ships monitoring; dangerous goods; polluting goods; maritime transport within the European Union; information systems; cargo monitoring; traffic routes; telematics; data exchange; international conventions; pollution prevention; maritime security.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLSE.2008.018277

International Journal of Liability and Scientific Enquiry, 2008 Vol.1 No.4, pp.351 - 362

Published online: 14 May 2008 *

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