WRITTEN QUESTION E-1007/00 by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Safety in connection with the transport of fuels by sea.
20. 2. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 53 E/53 (2001/C 53 E/062) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1007/00 by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE-DE) to the Commission Subject: Safety in connection with the transport of fuels by sea (31 March 2000) The initiative of developing the Unionís northern dimension will, if put into practice, increase energy cooperation and trade between Russia and the European Union. It is for example predictable that the transport of oil and other liquid fuels by sea in the Baltic and particularly the Gulf of Finland will increase considerably in the next few years. The Baltic is a shallow and almost landlocked sea area, in which accidents involving tankers at sea could easily cause irreparable destruction. In the light of the above, how does the Commission propose to improve safety regulations for the transport of polluting materials by sea? Does the Commission intend in future to introduce stricter safety regulations for oil shippers, e. g. regarding the hull design of their vessels? Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission (19 May 2000) Following the accident with the oil tanker Erikaí in December 1999 and the consequent massive pollution of the French western coastline, the Commission adopted on 21 March 2000 a communication to the Parliament and the Council on the safety of seaborne oil transport (1). This lists a number of short and medium term measures aimed at enhancing the prevention of pollution by ships. The Commission communication is accompanied by three legislative proposals, including a proposal for a regulation by the Parliament and Council on the accelerated phasing-in of double hull or equivalent design standards for single hull oil tankers (2). This legislative proposal aims at applying rapidly in the Community the latest internationally agreed construction standards for oil tankers to provide the highest degree of protection against oil pollution in case of grounding or collision. (1) COM(2000) 142 final. (2) COM(2000) 67. (2001/C 53 E/063) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1008/00 by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE-DE) to the Commission Subject: Liberalisation of the market in electricity in Germany (31 March 2000) According to reports in the media the liberalisation of the electricity market in Germany has taken place in a way which is contrary to the principles of open competition. Transfer charges are made in respect of transfers of electricity between the north and the south of the country, and these can account for as much as a quarter of the wholesale price of electricity. This procedure is not in conformity with the principles of free competition, because it strengthens the position of German large-scale firms and local operators at the expense of non-German competitors. In view of the above, what does the Commission propose to do to investigate whether this state of affairs can be regarded as complying with the spirit of the objective of liberalising the EUís electricity market? How does the Commission propose to prevent the áapparent liberalisationí of the electricity markets, which damages free competition, from taking place in future in Germany and the other Member States of the Union?