ECC-Net Calls for Stronger Protection for Sea Passengers
The European Union has long worked to strengthen passenger rights across all modes of transport. While significant progress has been made, the European Consumer Centres Network (ECC-Net) has identified ongoing challenges in protecting the rights of sea passengers. To address these issues, ECC-Net has released a policy paper highlighting the main concerns and offering practical recommendations to enhance the rights of consumers who travel by ship.
What are sea passenger rights about?
Sea passenger rights are designed to protect consumers from disruptions such as delays, cancellations, and accessibility issues. These rights aim to ensure that passengers are treated fairly and receive appropriate assistance when their journey is interrupted. However, ECC-Net has found that regulatory gaps and inconsistent practices prevent many consumers from fully exercising these rights.
The key challenges for sea passengers
Insights from over 4,400 consumer cases have highlighted areas where sea passengers frequently encounter obstacles. For example, the lack of a clear definition for terms like ‘scheduled time of departure’ creates disputes over compensation, while inconsistent enforcement means passengers with reduced mobility (PRM) don’t always receive the support they are entitled to.
Other recurring challenges include insufficient assistance during delays and cancellations, incomplete re-routing that leaves passengers stranded far from their destinations, and difficulties navigating the complaint process due to short deadlines or lack of awareness about enforcement bodies. These issues can create uncertainty and frustration for sea passengers, highlighting the need to address them in the Regulation on sea passenger rights.
Issues that need to be addressed
ECC-Net’s policy paper presents targeted solutions to the identified challenges, emphasising a fairer and more reliable framework for sea passengers. The key recommendations include:
- Clarifying regulations
Define terms like ‘scheduled time of departure’ to avoid disputes and ensure fair compensation. - Strengthening assistance obligations
Strengthen the requirement for carriers to provide meals, refreshments, and accommodation during disruptions without exceptions. - Enhancing support for PRM passengers
Enforce penalties for non-compliance and introduce compensation for violations.
Additionally, ECC-Net calls for simplifying re-routing and reimbursement processes, ensuring passengers reach their booked destinations or are reimbursed promptly for additional travel costs. Improvements to complaint handling, including extending deadlines and increasing awareness of National Enforcement Bodies (NEBs), would further strengthen passenger protections and build trust in sea travel.
Want to know more?
Additional information is available in our latest policy paper: Improving EU Sea Passenger Rights for Greater Consumer Protection. This paper outlines the key regulatory gaps and presents actionable recommendations to protect passengers more effectively when travelling by sea.