At its meeting on July 22, the government approved a bill on Moldova’s accession to the 2012 Cape Town Agreement—one of the main international documents governing the safety of sea-going fishing vessels. The agreement establishes international requirements for the construction, equipment, inspection, and certification of fishing vessels 24 meters or longer. The application of these standards is aimed at reducing the risk of accidents and improving crew safety. As noted by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development, accession to the agreement will allow Moldova to align its national inspection, certification, and control mechanisms with the standards of the International Maritime Organization. This will also boost confidence in the Moldovan flag in international shipping, ensure further harmonization of national legislation with European and international standards in the field of maritime safety, and contribute to Moldova’s European integration process. // July 22, 2026 – InfoMarket.