Ninety per cent of the European Union’s external, and 40 per cent of its internal,trade is carried by sea—a proportion that will increase with the Motorwaysof the Sea project. The author argues for a comprehensive EU approach tomaritime strategy at the highest political level, and highlights the important ofcreating coherent political objectives and strategies to underpin that overallstrategy. He argues further for broader consciousness of the vital importance ofthe sea, not just for Europe, but for mankind.