Mandatory Expanded Inspections

Following the Erica and Prestige disasters the EU introduced new legislation through the Directive 2001/106/EC, which came into effect on 22 July 2003.

The directive introduced the concept of Mandatory Expanded Inspections (MEI’s) on “high risk ships."

The directive requires that high-risk ships must have a mandatory expanded inspection carried out by an EU member of the Paris MOU region every 12 months.

The following vessels are identified as high-risk:

• Oil tankers over 15 years of age and over 3000 GT;
• Gas and chemical tankers over 10 years of age;
• Bulk Carriers over 12 years of age;
• Passenger ships over 15 years of age (excluding those covered by the Ferry Directive, 1999/35/EC).

The age of the ship is determined on the basis of the keel-laying date, indicated in the ship's safety certificates.