New EU rule to require insurance information for all vessels in its waters

By Michael Jones

April 28 - (The Insurer) - All vessels passing through EU waters, including those which do not enter one of the bloc's ports, will be required to provide insurance information under a new delegated directive introduced by the European Commission last week.

The amendment to the Vessel Monitoring Directive (2022/59/EC) adds to EU attempts to crack down on uninsured vessels, which has included a number of sanctions against the global shadow fleet. The EU has also submitted a proposal to the International Maritime Organization seeking minor amendments to several Mandatory Ship Reporting Systems in and around European coastal states.

The new requirement strengthens the EU's ability to monitor and investigate maritime activities to address risks posed by uninsured or unsafe vessels, the Commission said in a statement.

Its director-general for mobility and transport Magda Kopczyńska said the change would align EU regulations with international standards and tackle challenges associated with hazardous cargo and geopolitical tensions.