Brussels,

Maritime Internal market

• Maritime transport is vital to the EU economy, with nearly 40% of freight exchanges between Member States occurring by sea.
• Around 400 million passengers embark and disembark at EU ports annually.
• Maritime services are especially crucial for islands and peripheral regions, where alternatives are limited.
• A well-functioning internal maritime market enhances connectivity, regional cohesion, and economic prosperity.

Public Service Obligations (PSOs) and State Aid

• During the COVID-19 pandemic, specific state aid and public service rules were applied to support continuity of essential maritime services.
• Public Service Obligations ensure that remote or less profitable routes remain operational for social and economic reasons.

Key Legislative Summaries

• Sea transport – supply of services, competition, unfair pricing and access to ocean trade - Guarantee free access to international ocean trade within the EU, preventing unfair pricing and market restrictions.
  • Regulation (EEC) No 4055/86 applying the principle of freedom to provide services to maritime transport between EU countries and with non-EU countries
  • Regulation (EEC) No 4057/86 on unfair pricing practices in maritime transport
  • Regulation (EEC) No 4058/86 on coordinated action to safeguard free access to cargoes in ocean trades
  • Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 on the implementation of the rules on competition laid down in Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty
  • Regulation (EC) No 246/2009 on the application of Article 81(3) of the Treaty to certain categories of agreements, decisions and concerted practices between liner shipping companies (consortia)

 

• Cabotage Rules (Regulation 3577/92):
  Allows maritime transport within a Member State (e.g. island-mainland routes) to be provided freely by any EU shipping company.
• Reporting Formalities (Directive 2010/65/EU):
  Standardizes reporting obligations for ships at ports of entry and exit to streamline operations and improve efficiency.
  
• Passenger and Cargo Data (Directive 2009/42/EC):
  Requires statistical reporting on maritime transport activities and registration of persons aboard passenger ships for safety and planning purposes.
  
• Ship Registration Transfers:
  Facilitates the transfer of ships between national registers within the EU, supporting fleet mobility and competitiveness.
  
  • Directive 98/41/EC — registration of persons sailing on board passenger ships operating to or from EU ports
    
  • Directive (EU) 2017/2109 amending Council Directive 98/41/EC on the registration of persons in passenger ships
    

This framework supports a liberalized, efficient, and safe maritime transport sector, aligning with the EU’s goals for a fully integrated single market and sustainable mobility.