Port reception facilities to prevent maritime pollution: Commission sends reasoned opinion to Italy

Summary:

The European Commission decided on 14 May 2009 to send a Reasoned Opinion to the Italian authorities for their failure to comply with a judgement of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) relating to the approval and implementation of reception and handling plans for ship-generated waste and cargo residues.

Further information:

The Directive 2000/59/EC (also known as PRF Directive) relates to port reception facilities for ship-generated waste and cargo residues. Whilst the Directive was to be implemented by December 2002, a number of Italian ports had provided for a reception and handling plan for ship waste at the of a Decision by the CJEU in 2008. Despite subsequent efforts by national authorities, the situation remained essentially the same.

The European Commission sent in May 2009 a Reasoned Opinion to the Italian authorities as a last opportunity before resorting to the Court again, seeking the imposition of financial penalties on Italy for non-implementation of the Court's judgment.