Maritime Transport

This is a Section with many challenges. The high level of globalisation in maritime transport and the use of multinational crews, together with the proliferation of Flags of Convenience, makes it difficult to effectively implement existing regualtions in the sector. Seafarers are excluded from much of the EU social legislation. The ETF is pushing for a need for a much wider EU regulation framework, that would ensure that competition was based on the highest possible standards in safety, environmental and social terms, thus ensuring a level playing field for all those wishing to participate in carrying goods by sea between EU ports.

News online

11 Mar 2010
ETF supports PNO in fight for socially acceptable economic measures
The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) supports the decision of the Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO) to join forces with the Greek Trade Union Confederation who called a 24-hour strike across the country. PNO, the umbrella...

07 Jan 2010
Consultation on Future Transport Policy - ETF response
The European Commission has launched a consultation process preceding the adoption in 2010 of a White Paper on the Future Transport Policy for the next decade up to 2020. The ETF response can be found here.

Press releases

28 Jan 2009
ETF Welcomes European Commission's Communication
In the European Commission’s Communication entitled “Strategic Goals and Recommendations for the EU’s Maritime Transport Policy Until 2018,” new challenges that will affect the maritime transport sector in the upcoming years are addressed. The...

10 Oct 2008
Brussels demo calls for ‘more and better jobs at sea’
The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) will hold a demonstration in Brussels at 12.00 on 14 October (route map available on request from l.castaldo@etf-europe.org) as one of several events promoting more and better jobs at sea in the EU....