European ferry passengers given more protection

People using ferry crossings and other maritime services throughout Europe will soon benefit from the sort of protection offered to air passengers following negotiations between the European parliament and EU member states.

Sea travellers will receive compensation in the event of an accident or if their luggage is damaged or lost through a set of maritime legislation known as Erika 3.

Prior to this agreement between the European parliament and EU states, ship owners' responsibility to compensate passengers was included in the Athens convention that was signed in 1974 and revised in 2002.

The regulations only related to operators of long-distance routes, meaning that users of many ferry services in Europe did not receive any protection.

Paolo Costa, chairman of the European parliament committee on transport, said: "Over the last year, the European governments have resisted any attempt to extend the scope of these provisions to shorter distances and have tried to delay until after 2020 the entry into force of an EU regulation to improve maritime passengers' protection.

"Thanks to our determination, as from 2012 the provision set out in the Athens convention will enter into force in all the 27 EU member states."

When the new legislation comes into force, ferry passengers will be entitled to compensation up to a maximum of €2,587 (£2,264) if their luggage is lost or damaged or €15,000 if something happens to their vehicle.

Dover - Calais

1 x Foot Passenger(s) Return

Travelling on:

03/06/2012 - 03/06/2012

£13

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Dover - Calais

Car + 2 Return

Travelling on:

11/06/2012 - 11/06/2012

£19

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Dover - Calais

Car + 4 Return

Travelling on:

16/06/2012 - 16/06/2012

£19

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