The 2002 EU-China Maritime Agreement has played a major role in facilitating this development. The application by both sides of the key principle of unrestricted market access as well as commercial presence for international maritime cargo transport and logistics services, including door-to-door multimodal transport operations, have largely contributed to improved market access conditions. This has been not only for the benefit of shipping companies but also world trade and economic growth. This trend is expected to continue in the future and major investments will be made by EU and Chinese operators in ports and logistics infrastructure and facilities in order to avoid costly congestions.

 

The maritime agreement will not only deliver concrete results in trade and economic activities, but also deepen maritime cooperation in areas such as maritime safety, notably in the International Maritime Organization. Furthermore, it will address the agenda of climate change by promoting shipping as the most efficient and environmentally friendly mode of transport. Today, China and the EU face the same challenges of trade globalisation and environmentally sustainable development.

 

Both China and the EU are key players on the international stage and have therefore a clear responsibility to work towards the benefit of global trade and international maritime transport. The Maritime Agreement, once entered into force, will further strengthen EU-China relations and will support the development of a quality-oriented shipping environment.

 

 

 

The 2002 agreement on maritime transport between China and the European Community and its Member States[1] will enter into force on 1 March 2008. To mark this occasion, a Joint Statement was issued today and a press conference was held in Beijing involving the Chinese authorities, the Commission, Member States and industry representatives from both sides. The agreement contains provisions on market access and provides for cooperation on maritime affairs. It has become the key component of the existing strong relations in the maritime field between China and the EU.

The maritime agreement, concluded between China on the one hand, and the European Community and its Member States on the other hand, was signed in Brussels on 6 December 2002. Following its ratification by all 15 Member States and the decision by the Council on 28 January 2008 to conclude the agreement, it will now enter into force on 1 March 2008. The ten new Member States, which joined the EU in 2004, are covered by a protocol to the agreement[2], and a similar protocol is being negotiated to take account of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania in 2007.

The maritime agreement is aimed at improving the conditions under which maritime cargo transport operations are carried out. It is based on the principles of freedom to provide maritime transport services, free access to cargoes and cross trades, unrestricted access to and non discriminatory treatment in the use of ports and auxiliary services as well as regarding commercial presence. It covers all aspects of door-to-door services. It also deals with maritime transport cooperation notably in international organisations such as the IMO, ILO and WTO[3].  

Annual meetings on the implementation of the agreement take place in the EU and China respectively and gather both sides as well representatives of their shipping industries. These meetings address practical problems and look for appropriate solutions to improve the efficiency and quality of maritime transport operations and increase trade in a world perspective.

90% of world trade is carried by sea, and both EU and China are major players in maritime affairs. EU shipping companies control more than 40% of the world fleet and China is the EU's second largest trading partner.

 

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