The European Commission will lodge two cases with the Court of Justice against Portugal for failure to respect EU legislation in the field of maritime safety, it was announced on Tuesday.

The Commission said that it has decided to act against Portugal for failing to transpose a directive on the minimum training requirements for seafarers serving on board European ships.

The directive incorporates into community law the latest amendments to the relevant legal instruments adopted by the International Maritime Organisation. Member states were required to have adopted the national measures to comply with the directive by 29 September 2005.

Portugal was also targeted by the Commission for incorrectly transposing a 1995 Directive that was amended and reinforced following the Erika accident. This Directive is aimed at reducing substandard shipping in European waters through increased compliance with international and EU legislation on maritime safety, protection of the marine environment and living and working conditions on board.

The directive establishes common criteria for control of ships by the port state, and harmonises procedures on inspection and detention of substandard ships.

According to the EC, the Portuguese measures currently in force contain several legal and technical inconsistencies.