The European Commission has called on EU states to implement "urgently" Europe-wide rules on maritime safety.
Transport Commissioner Loyola de Palacio has written to EU governments reminding them of their obligations as the Prestigetanker began sinking, six days after cracks appeared in its single hull during a storm last Wednesday.
Under the EU rules, the Prestigeshould have been taken out of service by 2005, a spokesman said.
"Instead of adding to legislation, we should concentrate on its effective application across the whole territory of the Union," said de Palacio's letter, cited by spokesman Mr Gilles Gantelet. "It is urgent that the measures are applied properly. There shouldn't be too much bureaucracy," he added.
The commission was referring to EU rules agreed in 2000 after the last major such disaster, involving the Erikatanker off the French coast in 1999.
EU governments agreed in 2000 to phase out single-hull vessels by 2015 and to limits for the age of vessels sailing its waters.
AFP