The European Union is particularly concerned by maritime safety and security and environmental risks, as a very large part of European trade depends on maritime traffic (90 % of its foreign trade and 35 % of its domestic trade).
The English Channel is one of the busiest seaways in the world: all traffic (around 18 % of world’s traffic, 45 000 ships every year) between the Atlantic Ocean and the North and Baltic Seas passes through here. The ships may transport many dangerous goods: oil (70 % of European importations), chemical and nuclear products. Not forgetting the large volume of Cross Channel traffic, essentially ferries, as well as numerous fishing boats and yachts.
Navigation conditions are difficult not only because of this heavy traffic but also due to natural conditions, with frequent strong tidal currents and bad sea conditions. These problems are accentuated in narrow zones such as “Les Casquets” and the Straits of Dover.
On the French coast, the ports of Cherbourg and Le Havre are located in the heart of this particularly sensitive maritime zone. The Autonomous Port of Le Havre is 5th largest European port, stop-over call for many cruise liners.
The Port of Cherbourg, the leading French port for yachts and the 2nd largest port for Cross-Channel traffic, is also a port of call of cruise liners, as well as a fishing and military port.
This area is particularly concerned by maritime security, unfortunately highlighted by recent accidents. The Maritime Prefecture of the Channel and North Sea area is based in Cherbourg and has authority over a zone which extends from the Mont Saint Michel Bay to the French-Belgian border. In the field of maritime safety and security, public services and all available maritime structures coexist.
The Channel is an area where international laws are implemented, whether they be IMO (International Maritime Organization) rulings, European directives or bilateral and interregional agreements.
For all these reasons, the area around Cherbourg and Le Havre is an excellent example to study the implementation of different directives and regulations, and to understand international operational organization.
http://www.cotentin.net/en/
