Press Release: Maritime safety: Commission sends formal request to Portugal to step up port state control

The European Commission sent on 24 June 2010 a formal request to Portugal to implement properly the EU Directive on port state control, in particular as regards the imposition of penalties on ships that fail to meet EU safety standards. This Directive is a core instrument in the field of maritime safety, aimed at fighting substandard shipping in the European Union. Portugal has two months to comply with the request, which takes the form of a reasoned opinion under EU infringement procedures, failing which the Commission may refer Portugal to the EU's Court of Justice.