On 29 March 2017 the United Kingdom notified the European Council of its intention to leave the European Union in accordance with Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. In an effort to minimise any possible disruption to the shipping industry deriving from Brexit, the Cyprus Shipping Deputy Ministry has referred interested parties to the European Commission's Notices to Stakeholders.1
However, the Shipping Deputy Ministry has emphasised that affected parties must also make their own preparations for the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union.
The Shipping Deputy Ministry has also underlined that where new authorisations, licences or certificates will be required, each party will be responsible for applying in good time.
British nationals and British companies that own Cyprus-registered vessels should consider whether they need to take steps to ensure that they will continue to meet the requirements set out by the Merchant Shipping (Registration, Sale and Mortgage of Ships) Law in relation to the ownership of a Cyprus-flagged ship after Brexit.
Footnote
(1) The relevant notices include the following:
- Withdrawal of the United Kingdom and EU rules in the field of maritime transport dated 27 February 2018;
- Withdrawal of the United Kingdom and EU rules on the minimum level of training of seafarers and the mutual recognition of seafarers' certificates dated 19 January 2018;
- Withdrawal of the United Kingdom and EU rules on the monitoring and verification of CO2 emissions from maritime transport dated 19 December 2018 (Rev 1);
- Withdrawal of the United Kingdom and the EU Ship Recycling Regulation dated 28 March 2018;
- Withdrawal of the United Kingdom and EU rules in the field of aviation security and maritime security dated 23 October 2018 (replaces the notice published on 5 July 2018);
- Withdrawal of the United Kingdom and EU rules on consumer protection and passenger rights dated 27 February 2018 (Rev1); and
- Withdrawal of the United Kingdom and EU rules in the field of industrial products (applicable to recreational craft and personal watercraft under EU Directive 2013/53/EU and the EU Marine Equipment Directive 2014/90/EU).
Originally published by International Law Office.
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