The European Union’s Maritime Transport and Ports Policy: a critical overview

In terms of volume, 90% of the freight exchanges of Europe with the rest of the world are seaborne. Notwithstanding the above, the success of European shipping cannot be taken for granted. In order to combat the effect of 2008-2009 financial crisis as well as the risk of de- localisation of head offices and maritime industries outside Europe, there is a pertinent need to create a solid legislative framework to govern the EU maritime transport and EU ports. To this aim the Community has launched it maritime transport policy for 2009-2018 and legislative and other initiatives regarding ports governance, handling and policy.¹

Dr Kyriaki Noussia, Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellow, Faculty of Law University of Hamburg and Max Planck Institute for Comparative and Private International Law, Hamburg, Germany

The EU maritime transport policy for 2018

The EU’s sustainable transport policy aims at addressing the economic, social and environmental needs of our society. The European Commission undertook in 2007 a strategic review of the EU’s integrated maritime policy.