MEPs have voted in favour of tight new safety rules for roll-on roll-off ferries

Date: 30/11/1995

At the moment, member states are supposed to abide by rules set by the International Maritime Organisation, but many do not apply them strictly. This proposal, if adopted by ministers, would make those standards mandatory. The need for tougher rules was highlighted by last year's disaster involving the ferry Estonia in which 900 people died.