3. EU legal framework for the maritime transport
Transport is an essential component of the European economy. The transport industry at large accounts for about 7 % of GDP and for over 5 % of total employment in the EU. The present situation of the supply chain system in CEE area has been from manufacturer-led to retailer-led supply chains (from “push” to “pull” supply chain economics). Transport and logistics have relatively little effect on the global location of primary activities – the manufacture and sale of final products. This is determined by markets, labor conditions, financial incentives, and the social or cultural preferences of senior management. However they influence regional and local location decisions where site accessibility is a significant factor56.
In the maritime sector, marine pollution and maritime accidents were considerably reduced and the EU has established one of the most advanced regulatory frameworks for safety and for pollution prevention. Safety agencies have been set up also for aviation (EASA), maritime affairs (EMSA) and rail transport (ERA)57.
In 2009, the third maritime safety package has been adopted by the European Parliament. With the adoption of the first two legislative packages on maritime safety (the so-called ERIKA I and II packages), the message delivered by the EU being that substandard shipping would no longer be admitted.58 The EU has proposed guidelines for the development of an integrated maritime policy, which constituted one of the Commission’s strategic objectives for the period 2005-
200959.
These guidelines form a central part of the Communication on an Integrated Maritime Policy for the EU (Blue Paper) adopted by the Commission and approved by the European Council in 2007