The European Commission has decided to take legal action against Sweden by referring the country to the Court of Justice of the European Union. This move comes as a result of Sweden’s failure to comply with the EU’s maritime security regulations, specifically Regulation (EC) No 725/2004, Directive 2005/65/EC, and Commission Regulation (EC) 324/2008.
These regulations establish security requirements for ships, ports, and port facilities. They also outline procedures for conducting maritime security inspections. The measures are designed to enhance port security against threats and improve the resilience of critical infrastructure within the EU. The Commission believes that Sweden is not effectively performing the necessary administrative and control tasks needed for implementing these rules, which could compromise maritime security across the EU.
In February 2023, the European Commission issued a formal notice to Sweden regarding this issue, followed by a reasoned opinion in April 2024. Despite these actions, Sweden has not addressed the deficiencies identified nor made significant progress in resolving them. As a result, the Commission views Sweden’s efforts as insufficient and has decided to escalate the matter to the Court of Justice.
The EU’s legal framework on maritime security aims to enhance security measures for ships involved in international trade and domestic shipping, as well as for ports and related facilities facing various threats such as hijacking or smuggling. It also establishes procedures for monitoring compliance with EU security rules through inspections conducted by the Commission.
