The Historical Evolution of European Union Shipping Law

Abstract

This article traces the historical evolution of European Union shipping / maritime law from the 1950s to the early 2010s. It discusses the 1950 (e.g., the Foundation Treaties), the 1960s (a barren decade), the 1970s (the beginnings of EU shipping law - e.g., the French Seafarers' case), the 1980s (the adoption of substantive EU shipping law), the 1990s (the deepening and widening of EU shipping law), the 2000s (i.e., the maturing of EU shipping regime) and the early 2010s. It covers issues as wide as safety, navigation, competition/antitrust, passenger rights, state aid, ports and liner conferences.

Keywords: European Union - Shipping Law - Maritime Law - Ports - External Relations - Safety - Environment - Passenger Rights - Competition -

JEL Classification: K00, K10, K21, K42