Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of Directive 2009/20/EC on the insurance of shipowners for maritime claims

Directive 2009/20/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the insurance of shipowners for maritime claims entered into force on 29 May 2009. The Directive aims to encourage responsible behaviour by all economic operators, to improve the quality of merchant shipping and ensure safety at sea. This report aims to inform the European Parliament and the Council on the application of the Directive.

The report relies on the outcome of a survey undertaken by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) at the request of the European Commission on the application of the Directive, as well as on information and data retrieved from the inspection database (commonly known as 'THETIS') established in accordance with Article 24 of Directive 2009/16/EC on port State control as amended. The Commission has received no complaints on the Directive since its application date (i.e. 1 January 2012).