Press Release: Port State control and marine equipment: Commission decides to take Finland and Italy to the European Court of Justice

The Commission decided on 30 March 2004 to lodge a complaint with the European Court of Justice against Finland for failure to respect EU legislation on Port State control of shipping. The aim of the infringed legislation is to reduce substandard shipping in the waters under the jurisdiction of Member States by increasing compliance with international and Community legislation. The Commission also decided to take Italy to the European Court of Justice for failure to transpose into national law EU legislation on marine equipment aimed at ensuring the uniform application of the international instruments relating to equipment placed on board seagoing ships.