Epaminondas G. E. Embiricos is dissatisfied with the EU politicians’ efforts for European shipping.
“The politicians in Brussels and the European Commission show from time to time hostility towards shipping in general and European shipping in particular,” he says. “We hope this attitude soon changes because we believe it is both unjustified and harmful. It is harmful not only to the European shipping industry but also to the European economy. It is very worrying that the European Commission is not shipping-friendly – as it was when Britain’s Neil Kinnock was the Transport Commissioner. The last two Transport Commissioners have come from countries without shipping interests. They have shown little sympathy for shipping. After Erika and Prestige, the Commissioners have not sought to resist local pressure from Spain and France. They have chosen to follow political expediency instead of the interests of the European Community as a whole – and of its shipping sector. Europe needs its shipping industry to carry its trade and to preserve the European Shipping Cluster and European employment.”
Criminalisation of seamen
Epaminondas G. E. Embiricos believes it is particularly harmful that the EU Commission seeks to criminalise seamen for accidental pollution.
“This is illegal because it contravenes MARPOL, which is an international agreement. In addition, it is a disincentive to recruitment of seafarers and a threat to people who wish to pursue a maritime career. And recruitment is essential to preserve a healthy shipping industry for the future.”
Problems in recycling
In the same way, Embiricos is critical of the Commission’s attitude to phasing out ships. New problems are being created for vessel recycling.
“A ship that is fully in class, fully approved by its flag state and complies with all the national and international requirements should, in the opinion of the European Commission, be categorised as waste under the Basle II Convention – if there are plans to scrap the ship. The result could be that the ship cannot be exported from Europe.
This is ridiculous and we must hope that the Commission will see sense and that the EU, recognising the value and importance of its shipping industry, will adopt a more positive stance. The EU must recognise that shipping is an international industry and that it can only effectively be regulated through the IMO. Everyone in shipping should support the IMO and unilateral and/or regional actions must in all circumstances be avoided,” states Epaminondas G. E. Embiricos.