This month in Strasbourg MEPs voted to amend proposed EU legislation on safety at sea. The draft legislation would require ferry companies to compile lists of passengers that would include details of their names, age, sex, and, if relevant, disability. It would apply on journeys longer than 20 miles and therefore include cross-Channel ferry companies.
MEPs supported an amendment by Mark Watts, the MEP for Kent West, to include Channel Tunnel car trains within the scope of the proposal. Mr Watts argued that the proposal would place a substantial burden on ferry companies which were operating in a highly competitive market, and would place them at a disadvantage vis-a-vis the Channel Tunnel. An amendment to require passenger lists on Eurostar passenger trains was unsuccessful. Commissioner Neil Kinnock was unable to accept either amendment. He argued that to include the Channel Tunnel within the proposed legislation would delay its implementation. He also believed that there should not be different legislation for trains that went under land and those that went under sea.
In response to claims by some MEPs that the proposal would prove to be excessively burdensome for ferry companies, Mr Kinnock argued that they had adequate capacity to cope with the demands placed on them by the proposal. The amended proposal now goes to Council.