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

09 Mar 2009
Commission to Blame for Social Unrest
On March 5, the leadership of seven European trade union federations, including the ETF’s, issued a joint statement admonishing the Commission’s role in the Lindsey strikes. The Commission’s comments on the European Court of Justice’s rulings in...

12 Dec 2008
The Social Partners ETF/ECSA appeal on Member States to supply Navy ships and resources to the ATALANTA mission
At their meeting of 10 December 2008 the Social Partners ETF/ECSA welcomed the start of the ATALANTA operation against piracy in the Gulf of Aden off the Somali coast. This is the first ever EU aero naval military mission abroad. Piracy in the...

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....