Maritime Safety Law and Policies of the European Union and the United States of America: Antagonism or Synergy?

• Universalism in maritime law as a point of reference for lawmakers: Myth and reality.- From the point of view of the flag State.- From the point of view of the coastal State.- From the point of view of the port State.- Overall position of the EU and the U.S. towards universal maritime safety standards: Common standards, but....- The EU “Common Maritime Transport Policy” on maritime safety and marine environment protection: Uniform, enhanced and anticipated rules.- The maritime safety and anti-pollution legal framework in the U.S.: The quest for optimum safety, the quest for limits to the traditional standard-setting process.- The search for common trends: A substantive law approach in the light of prevention, preparedness/response and liability.- Prevention.- Preparedness and the ability to respond: The need for promptness and effectiveness put to the test.- Liability issues for marine pollution: The paradigm of oil.- Concluding remarks – Recommendations.- The old debate is not dead: Freedom of the seas vs. coastal States’ rights.- The “problem of synergy and antagonism” as part of the “solution”.- Viewing the potential of underestimated directions by legislators: Marketoriented incentives in support of qualitative shipping.

From the reviews: "Dr. Iliana Christodoulou-Varotsi has written a very interesting and useful book, which greatly contributes to the study of maritime safety law and to the bibliography of maritime law in general. ... The reader will also appreciate the index and the extensive bibliography, which is both lengthy and updated. ... the treatment of the subject by the author is throughout thoughtful and stimulating and the controversial issues are fully analyzed. ... an essential tool of reference highly recommended to advanced students and practitioners in maritime law." (Constantine Katsigeras, Aegean Review of the Law of the Sea and Maritime Law, Vol. 1, 2011)