Recently the European Commission proposed a Delegated Directive amending Annex I of the Vessel Monitoring Directive (2002/59/EC) citing “Recent developments in the transport of dangerous goods, including oil, due to geo-political conflicts that affect maritime transport give cause for grave concern. In particular the occurrence of the so called dark or shadow fleet, as defined in International Maritime Organization (IMO) Assembly Resolution A.1192(33),often comprised of substandard ships poses substantial risks to maritime safety and marine ecosystems.”
This amendment requires all ships entering EU water, including vessels transiting without calling at EU ports, to submit proof of insurance.
This directive was published 0n 19th Feb 2025 and was set to enter in force after 20 days of its publication and so became effective from 18 May 2025. Please find the directive at this link.
Further the directive has shown concern on rise of dark fleet by 70 %, the opaque operation of the dark or shadow fleet creates difficulties, especially in establishing and verifying the status of certificates, including insurance certificates. The increased transportation of oil by such unsafe and uninsured ships undermines the safety and environmental standards in place under instruments developed by the IMO.