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EMH enthousiastic about EC's initiative
18-12-2015
 The initiative of the European Commission's to more clearly exempt traditional ships and sailing ships from the European Directive for passenger ships (also known as EuroSolas) is a positive development. EMH member countries discussed the EC's initiative in Tallinn, Estonia.
Thomas Hoppe, chairman of EMH's safety council: "It is clear to most people that, from a technical point of view, traditional ships are different from modern day cruise ships and therefore need different rules and regulations. Not less safe rules but just different rules". The European Directive for passenger ships was not very specific about what ships fell under its scope and what ships didn't. It was interpreted differently by different Member States. "We understand the Commission now is preparing a proposal", Thomas Hoppe said, "to put an end to the uncertainty and make clear that the passenger ship directive is meant for the vast majority of passenger ships, the new build ships, and that traditional ships need to be dealt with by dedicated national rules. It is good news for all those people trying to preserve their traditional ships, keep them operative and safe." EMH thinks a revised Directive opens up new possibilities for the Memorandum of Understanding on the certification of Traditional Ship, better known as the 'Wilhelmshaven MoU'.
The MoU is an agreement between twelve national shipping inspectorates to accept each others national safety certificates for traditional ships. The MoU came under threat as some signatory states came to believe there no longer was a use for the agreement because traditional ships should comply with the passenger ship directive.
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