BILL·legislative alert
Sign in
2026/0215(COD)E1st reading – European Parliament

Ro-ro passenger ships: specific stability requirements

With the European Parliament, which is preparing its first-reading position.

Last active 23 Jul 2026

Track this billGet an email when the proposal moves: phase change, new document, or terminal outcome.

What this bill does

In plain terms: what it changes and who it affects.

It codifies EU rules requiring ro-ro passenger ships to meet specific stability standards to improve passenger and crew safety after damage.

Who it affects

It affects ro-ro passenger ship operators, shipowners, and flags and port states in the EU. It also affects passengers and crews on regular ro-ro ferry services to or from EU ports.

Core of the proposal
  • Sets common stability requirements for ro-ro passenger ships on regular international services.
  • Requires new ships over 1,350 persons to meet SOLAS 2020 damage-stability rules.
  • Lets smaller new and certain existing ships choose between two stability standards.
  • Requires certificates, wave-height-based sea-area lists, and port-state recognition of compliant certificates.
Key provisions
Takes effect
It enters into force on the twentieth day after publication in the Official Journal.
Transitional law
Repealed Directive 2003/25/EC remains relevant for transposition deadlines in Annex IV, Part B, and existing ships may keep earlier applicable requirements in some cases.
Articles changed · 1 across 1 law
  • Directive 2003/25/EC (32003L0025)
    • entire act: repeals the entire directive and replaces it with a codified directive

Documents

1 recent

SourcesOEILEUR-LexEU Law Tracker