Slovakia in hot water over ship classification

BRUSSELS—Slovakia will have to explain its use of ship classification societies in the European Court of Justice.

The European Commission is taking Slovakia to the court for failing to comply with European Community rules on the use of the societies. The rules require organizations that inspect ships and certify their safety to be recognised by the European Community.

"It appears that certain vessels under the Slovak flag have been issued with certificates by Bulgarian and Turkish classification societies that do not have Community recognition," the commission said in a statement.