The sea surrounding the Maltese territory has always been a main source of economic income and a prominent characteristic in the promotion of Malta’s own identity. Malta is one of the EU maritime nations which has a significant percentage of its own population and GDP depending on its coastline areas and its seas. Since it heavily depends on such a spectrum of sea-related activities, competitiveness and prosperity need to move in tandem to achieve optimal results. Obstacles and challenges throughout the years, as well as the increasing globalisation, have triggered the European Commission, more than a year ago to adopt a Green Paper which also served as a consultation paper on a Future Maritime Policy for the European Union.

After a significant period of consultation, a Communication on a Maritime Policy was launched, along with an action plan, on 10 October, steered by EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Joe Borg. For the European Commission, the term ‘maritime’ now embraces a wider array of sea-related sectoral policy areas, such as aquaculture, climate change, energy, fisheries, transport, tourism, and the protection of the marine environment.

However, all these sectors involve a good number of authorities and partners coming from different fields. The crux of it all is how all these intertwining sectors can reap the benefits from this rational and comprehensive method of one European policy, and how to use the full potential of this sea-based economic activity in an environmentally sustainable way, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, whilst also considering the fact that they have traditionally and extensively worked unilaterally on a sector-by-sector method.

Malta has involved several entities during the consultation period, including various ministries and a number of authorities, such as the Malta Maritime Authority, the Malta Resources Authority and the Malta Environmental and Planning Authority. An initiative by the Competitiveness and Communications Ministry also saw the setting up of a Maritime Policy Forum.

Shipping plays an important role in the creation of jobs, trade and economic activities in the European Member Countries. An integrated maritime policy will give the necessary impetus to promote high-tech shipbuilding and marine engineering. A compromise needs to be reached between shipping, safety and security and environmental protection. Challenges coming from outside the EU increase competition and, if the EU shipping industry proves to be viable, shippers would be encouraged to re-invest in their fleet. But this does not depend solely on their capability.

A range of negotiations need to be planned through the Commission’s proposals. According to the Malta International Shipping Council, the green paper contains positive aspects regarding this industry. Conferences with stakeholders were held. Numerous points of concern were drawn up ranging from safety and environment, to labour issues and the overlap of certain institutions where these already and effectively exist at national level.

As for Europe’s ports, the EU will aid in their development to prosper both in the coastal and inner regions. In the long-term, this would help marine-related trade, not to mention the suppression of exhaust emissions from ships in harbour, the support given to local fishing communities, cruise shipping, marine heritage conservation and related maritime tourism activities.

The Maritime Law Advisory Council in Malta has also contributed to the consultation process through a number of sub-committees, particularly the one on the EU directive on ship source pollution, salvage and the role of this industry in protecting the marine environment. The Conservation Biology Research Group, University of Malta and BICREF recognise the need for an EU policy that formulates all encompassing regulations that would address the vulnerability of small island member states to maritime issues and problems. They recognise the need to strive for sustainable development research, amongst other things, through conservation and marine science – especially the conservation of marine biodiversity at genetic, species and eco-system levels.

In line with the Lisbon goals, an integrated maritime policy is the new tool that would help stem the recent declines in sea-going and on-shore maritime-related employment and would promote innovative maritime industries and technologies that would help preserve Europe’s maritime skills.

Brenda Azzopardi is Research Analyst at Forum Malta fl-Ewropa