Maritime safety law and policies of the European Union and the United States of America : antagonism or synergy?

The International Maritime Organization (IMO), as the United Nations specialized agency responsible for the regulation of shipping engaged in international trade from the points of view of maritime safety and the prevention and control of pol- tion by ships, recognizes that these goals can only be effectively achieved if each and every link in the corresponding chain of responsibility meets fully its obli- tions. Flag, port and coastal States, as well as the shipping industry itself, all have roles to play in collectively improving safety and protecting the environment, both marine and atmospheric, through the development, adoption, and uniform imp- mentation and enforcement of, global standards. In this book, Dr. Christodoulou-Varotsi sets out to explore the extent to which the actions of the European Union and the United States, as the main originators of high standards in these fields, constitute a paradigm to the rest of the inter- tional maritime community. In this regard, while underscoring the need for a - listic, multilateral approach to maritime regulation – as epitomized by the work of IMO – the author explores how standards could be enhanced through the use of unilateral action.

The European Union and the United States of America have been to a large extent the pacemakers of especially high standards of maritime safety, and their contribution to safety at sea and prevention of marine pollution is undeniable. To what extent can their action constitute a paradigm to the rest of the international maritime community, without suggesting a compromise of the uniformity sought by international maritime law? The purpose of this study is to provide a European reading of current trends in maritime safety law and policies, on the basis of a comparison between a selective number of instruments adopted by the EU and the US. The author considers that the US’s maritime safety laws and regulations have acted as a catalyst or are likely to act as a catalyst for the EU, which is at the present stage a leading sea power. In the light of this assumption, the discussion explores unilateralism and multilateralism in international maritime law and searches for prospects and limitations.

"The European Union and the United States of America have been to a large extent the pacemakers of especially high standards of maritime safety, and their contribution to safety at sea and prevention of marine pollution is undeniable. To what extent can their action constitute a paradigm to the rest of the international maritime community, without suggesting a compromise of the uniformity sought by international maritime law? The purpose of this study is to provide a European reading of current trends in maritime safety law and policies, on the basis of a comparison between a selective number of instruments adopted by the EU and the US. The author considers that the US s maritime safety laws and regulations have acted as a catalyst or are likely to act as a catalyst for the EU, which is at the present stage a leading sea power. In the light of this assumption, the discussion explores unilateralism and multilateralism in international maritime law and searches for prospects and limitations."--Jacket Front Matter....Pages i-xxxi Universalism in maritime law as a point of reference for lawmakers: Myth and reality....Pages 17-27 Overall position of the EU and the U.S. towards universal maritime safety standards: Common standards, but.......Pages 29-54 The search for common trends: A substantive law approach in the light of prevention, preparedness/response and liability....Pages 55-140 Concluding remarks — Recommendations 878 ....Pages 141-145 Back Matter....Pages 147-162 This book provides a European reading of current trends in maritime safety law and policies, on the basis of a comparison between a selective number of instruments adopted by the EU and the US.