|
Brussels, |
|
International Cooperation on Maritime Transport
Maritime transport is central to global trade, carrying over 80% of the world’s merchandise. For the EU, the world’s largest exporter and second-largest importer, efficient, secure, and sustainable maritime transport is vital to global competitiveness.
EU Bilateral and Multilateral Engagements
The European Commission maintains a continuous dialogue with major global partners—such as the USA, China, India, and Japan—to:
The EU also supports the World Trade Organization (WTO) in seeking a multilateral agreement on maritime services to ensure fair and open trade globally.
Cooperation with International Organizations
International Maritime Organization (IMO)
The EU actively participates in IMO to develop global maritime safety and environmental standards. Key conventions include:
Regional Sea Conventions (Environmental Protection)
International Labour Organization (ILO)
The EU coordinates with the ILO on seafarers' working and living conditions, supporting the:
EU Coordination and Legal Instruments
Transport Security Cooperation
The EU has established Transport Security Working Groups with:
Objectives:
Related EU Legal Acts
EU Bilateral and Multilateral Engagements
The European Commission maintains a continuous dialogue with major global partners—such as the USA, China, India, and Japan—to:
- Ensure the stability of global seaborne trade,
- Remove barriers to maritime transport,
- Promote quality shipping standards worldwide.
The EU also supports the World Trade Organization (WTO) in seeking a multilateral agreement on maritime services to ensure fair and open trade globally.
Cooperation with International Organizations
International Maritime Organization (IMO)
The EU actively participates in IMO to develop global maritime safety and environmental standards. Key conventions include:
Regional Sea Conventions (Environmental Protection)
- HELCOM – Baltic Sea
- Barcelona Convention – Mediterranean
- OSPAR – North-East Atlantic
- Bucharest Convention – Black Sea
International Labour Organization (ILO)
The EU coordinates with the ILO on seafarers' working and living conditions, supporting the:
- Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006) – Recognized as the fourth pillar of maritime regulation (alongside IMO standards).
- Large parts of the MLC are integrated into EU law.
EU Coordination and Legal Instruments
- The EU coordinates its positions in IMO and ILO negotiations with Member States.
- Submissions are based on EU-funded studies to ensure high global standards.
- The EU is a contracting party to:
- UNCLOS – United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
- Athens Convention (1974) on the carriage of passengers and their luggage, as amended by the 2002 Protocol
Transport Security Cooperation
The EU has established Transport Security Working Groups with:
- USA, Japan, Korea, China
- Mediterranean and Caspian Sea countries
Objectives:
- Develop common security standards
- Share best practices
- Enable mutual recognition of security measures, potentially reducing operational costs
Related EU Legal Acts
